Battery Module, Battery Pack, and Vehicle Including the Same

Abstract

The present invention provides a battery module, a battery pack, and a vehicle including the battery module, which have improved fire or explosion safety. To achieve the above object, the battery module according to the present invention includes: a plurality of battery cells, each of the plurality of battery cells having electrode terminals respectively formed at an upper portion and a bottom portion of the battery cell; a module housing in which the plurality of battery cells are accommodated and which includes a plurality of exposure holes configured to expose a top or a bottom of each battery cell; and a shielding member provided at one or more of a top or a bottom of the module housing, having a plate shape, and including exhaust holes, each of the exhaust holes having a size smaller than a size of the exposure holes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a battery module, a battery pack, and a vehicle including the same, and more particularly, to a battery module, a battery pack, and a vehicle including the same having improved fire or explosion stability.

[0002] This application claims the priority of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0121768, filed in Korea on September 21, 2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Background Art

[0003] In recent years, the demand for portable electronic products (such as notebooks, camcorders, mobile phones, etc.) has been rapidly increasing, and electric vehicles, storage batteries, robots, satellites, etc. are being vigorously developed. For this reason, high-performance secondary batteries that can be repeatedly charged and discharged are being actively studied.

[0004] Commercially available secondary batteries currently include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, and lithium secondary batteries. Among these batteries, lithium secondary batteries have attracted attention due to advantages such as almost no memory effect compared to nickel-based secondary batteries and being freely charged and discharged, as well as a very low self-discharge rate and high energy density.

[0005] Lithium secondary batteries mainly use lithium-based oxides and carbon materials as the positive electrode active material and the negative electrode active material, respectively. In addition, a lithium secondary battery includes an electrode assembly and a housing (i.e., a battery case), in which a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate coated with the positive electrode active material and the negative electrode active material, respectively, are provided in the electrode assembly, a separator is inserted between the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate, and the housing stores the electrode assembly and the electrolyte together in a sealed manner.

[0006] In addition, lithium secondary batteries can be classified into can-type secondary batteries and pouch-type secondary batteries according to the shape of the housing. In a can-type secondary battery, the electrode assembly is included in a metal can, and in a pouch-type secondary battery, the electrode assembly is included in a pouch made of an aluminum laminated sheet.

[0007] Specifically, recently, the demand for large-capacity battery modules applied to electric vehicles, etc. has been increasing. Such large-capacity battery modules include a plurality of battery cells. Therefore, when a fire or explosion occurs in a part of the plurality of battery cells, high-temperature fragments, flames, and high-temperature gases of the electrode assembly are discharged to other adjacent battery cells, thereby increasing the temperature of the other battery cells. Therefore, thermal runaway, fire, etc. can spread to other adjacent battery cells, causing a secondary explosion, and further increasing the damage. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Technical Problem

[0009] The present disclosure is designed to solve the problems of the related art, and thus the present disclosure aims to provide a battery module, a battery pack, and a vehicle including the same, which have improved fire or explosion prevention stability.

[0010] These and other objects and advantages of the present disclosure can be understood through the following detailed description and will become more fully apparent according to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. In addition, it will be readily understood that the objects and advantages of the present disclosure can be achieved by the means shown in the appended claims and their combinations.

[0011] Technical solution

[0012] In one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a battery module, the battery module including:

[0013] a plurality of battery cells, each battery cell having electrode terminals respectively formed at an upper portion and a lower portion of the battery cell;

[0014] a module housing configured to accommodate the plurality of battery cells and having a plurality of exposure holes configured to expose the upper portion or the lower portion of the battery cells; and

[0015] a shielding member located at any one or more of an upper portion and a lower portion of the module housing and having a plate shape, the shielding member being configured to have ventilation holes with a size smaller than that of the exposure holes.

[0016] In addition, two or more ventilation holes may be provided in a region of the shielding member facing the exposure holes.

[0017] Additionally, the ventilation holes may be configured to have a diameter that gradually decreases in an outward direction.

[0018] Furthermore, the ventilation holes may be formed such that the shielding member is perforated in a sawtooth form along a thickness direction of the shielding member.

[0019] In addition, the battery module may further include a connection plate inserted between the shielding member and the module housing and having conductivity, the connection plate including: a main body portion having a plate shape extending in a horizontal direction; a connection portion extending from the main body portion to contact the electrode terminals; and a connection hole formed by opening a part of the main body portion such that the connection portion is located in an opening of the main body portion.

[0020] Additionally, the connection plate

[0021] may include an extension portion configured to project and extend horizontally from an outer periphery of the connection hole to hide a part of the connection hole.

[0022] In addition, the module housing

[0023] may include a plurality of cover portions configured to protrude respectively from the outer periphery of the plurality of exposed holes toward the connection plate, the cover portion having a hollow portion and being formed with an open top end.

[0024] In addition, the cover portion

[0025] may include a bent portion that is bent at the top end of the opening to extend in a horizontal direction to hide a part of the connection hole of the connection plate.

[0026] In addition, in another aspect of the present disclosure, a battery pack is also provided, the battery pack including at least one of the above battery modules.

[0027] In addition, in another aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle is also provided, the vehicle including at least one of the above battery modules.

[0028] Technical effects

[0029] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the battery module according to the present disclosure includes a shielding member. This structure can physically block the movement of high-temperature active materials discharged from an exploded battery cell to adjacent battery cells while maintaining the function of ejecting the gas and flame generated when the battery cell is ignited. In this way, when any one of the plurality of battery cells malfunctions (electrical short circuit, thermal runaway), if the battery cell explodes and ejects internal materials to the outside, gas and flame are ejected through the exposed holes, but the shielding member inhibits the movement of high-temperature active materials. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the ejected internal materials from moving to other adjacent battery cells through other adjacent exposed holes. That is, by forming the ventilation holes smaller than the exposed holes, the shielding member can allow the high-temperature gas ejected through the exposed holes to pass through the ventilation holes, but prevent the ejected fragments of the electrode assembly from passing through the ventilation holes. Therefore, in the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent a chain ignition such as thermal runaway, fire, or explosion from spreading to other battery cells, thereby greatly improving safety. Description of the drawings

[0030] The drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the present disclosure and are used together with the foregoing disclosure to provide a further understanding of the technical features of the present disclosure, and thus, the present disclosure should not be construed as being limited to the drawings.

[0031] Figure 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a battery cell of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] Figure 4 is a plan view schematically showing a shielding member of a battery module according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing a shielding member of a battery module according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] Figure 6 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing a shielding member of a battery module according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] Figure 7 is a partial perspective view schematically showing a connection plate of a battery module according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] Figure 8 is schematically showing along Figure 1 a partial cross-sectional view of a part of the battery module taken along line C-C'.

[0039] Figure 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view schematically showing a part of a battery module according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Embodiments

[0040] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Before the description, it should be understood that the terms used in this specification and the appended claims should not be construed as limited to the general and dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted based on the principle that allows the inventor to appropriately define the terms to achieve the best explanation, based on the meanings and concepts corresponding to the technical aspects of the present disclosure.

[0041] Therefore, the descriptions presented herein are only preferred examples for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, it should be understood that other equivalent substitutions and modifications can be made to the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0042] Figure 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 is a disassembled perspective view schematically showing a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In addition, Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a battery cell of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the battery module 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of battery cells 110, a module housing 130, and a screen member 140.

[0044] Specifically, the battery cell 110 may include an electrode assembly 116, a battery can 112, and a cap assembly 113. For example, the battery cell 110 may be a cylindrical battery cell. In addition, the battery cell 110 may include electrode terminals 111 respectively located at its upper and lower portions. The plurality of battery cells 110 may be electrically connected by a connection plate 120 made of a metal material. The plurality of battery cells 110 may be electrically connected in series, in parallel, or in a series-parallel combination via the connection plate 120.

[0045] The electrode assembly 116 may have a wound structure in which a separator is interposed between a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate. A positive electrode terminal 114 may be attached to the positive electrode plate and connected to the cap assembly 113, and a negative electrode terminal 115 may be attached to the negative electrode plate and connected to the lower end of the battery can 112.

[0046] The battery can 112 may have an empty space so that the electrode assembly 116 can be accommodated in the empty space. Specifically, the battery can 112 may be configured to have a cylindrical shape with an open top end. In addition, the battery can 112 may be made of a metal material such as steel or aluminum to ensure rigidity. In addition, a negative electrode terminal may be attached to the bottom of the battery can 112 so that not only the lower portion of the battery can 112 but also the battery can 112 itself can be used as a negative electrode terminal.

[0047] The cap assembly 113 may be coupled to the open top end of the battery can 112 to seal the open top end of the battery can 112. The cap assembly 113 may have a circular or rectangular shape according to the shape of the battery can 112, and may include sub-components such as a top cap C1, an exhaust unit C2, and a gasket C3.

[0048] Here, the top cap C1 may be located at the uppermost portion of the cap assembly 113 and configured to protrude upward. Specifically, the top cap C1 may be used as the positive electrode terminal in the battery cell 110. Therefore, the top cap C1 may be electrically connected to an external device (such as another battery cell 110 or a charging device) via the connection plate 120 or the like. The top cap C1 may be made of a metal material such as stainless steel or aluminum. If a serious explosion or fire occurs in the battery cell 110, at least a part of the top cap C1 may be torn off or disassembled from the battery can 112, thereby opening the battery can 112.

[0049] In addition, the exhaust unit C2 may be configured to deform (break) when the internal pressure of the battery cell 110 (i.e., the internal pressure of the battery can 112) increases beyond a predetermined level, so that the gas in the battery can 112 can be discharged to the outside through the opening D of the top cap C1. Here, the predetermined level of the internal pressure may be 5 to 10 atmospheres. At this time, when the battery cell 110 explodes due to abnormal operation, the cap assembly 113 can be disassembled from the battery can 112. In addition, when the gas explodes in the battery cell 110, the gas generated in the battery cell 110 and the fragments of the electrode assembly 116, etc. can be ejected to the outside.

[0050] In addition, the gasket C3 may be made of an electrically insulating material so that the edge portion of the top cap C1 and the edge portion of the exhaust unit C2 can be insulated from the battery can 112.

[0051] Meanwhile, the cap assembly 113 may further include a current interrupt device C4. The current interrupt device C4 is also referred to as a CID (current interrupt device). When the internal pressure of the battery increases due to gas generation such that the shape of the exhaust unit C2 is reversed, the contact between the exhaust unit C2 and the current interrupt device C4 can be disconnected, or the current interrupt device C4 can be damaged, thereby blocking the electrical connection between the exhaust unit C2 and the electrode assembly 116.

[0052] The above configuration of the battery cell 110 at the time of filing this application is widely known to those skilled in the art and will not be described in detail herein. In addition, although Figure 3 an example of a cylindrical battery cell 110 is illustrated, the battery module 100 according to the present disclosure is not limited to the configuration of the battery cell 110 having a specific shape. That is, various types of battery cells known at the time of filing this application can be employed in the battery module 100 according to the present disclosure.

[0053] In addition, the module housing 130 may be configured to accommodate the plurality of battery cells 110 therein. The module housing 130 may include an upper frame 133 and a lower frame 134. Each of the upper frame 133 and the lower frame 134 may include a plurality of hollow portions 135 configured such that the plurality of battery cells 110 are partially inserted into the plurality of hollow portions 135.

[0054] In addition, the module housing 130 may have a plurality of exposure holes 131. Each of the plurality of exposure holes 131 may be formed by perforating a part of the module housing 130 so that the upper and lower portions of each of the plurality of battery cells 110 can be exposed to the outside. For example, as Figure 2As shown, a plurality of exposure holes 131 may be provided in each of the upper surface of the upper frame 133 and the lower surface of the lower frame 134, so that the electrode terminals 111 respectively provided on the upper and lower portions of the plurality of battery cells 110 are exposed to the outside. The exposure holes 131 may be formed at positions corresponding to the exhaust unit C2 of the battery cell 110. For example, in Figure 3 In the battery cell 110, the exhaust unit C2 is located at the top end of the battery cell 110, and thus the exposure holes 131 may be provided at the top end of the battery cell 110. More specifically, the exposure holes 131 may be provided at positions adjacent to the opening D of the top cap C1, and the gas discharged from the exhaust unit C2 is discharged to the outside of the battery can 112 through the opening D of the top cap C1.

[0055] Preferably, the exposure holes 131 may be formed to have a size capable of covering the entire opening D of the battery can 112. For example, referring to Figure 3 As an example, the top cap C1 of the battery can 112 may have an annular opening D. At this time, the exposure holes 131 may be configured to have a diameter greater than or equal to the diameter of the annular opening D.

[0056] In addition, the shielding member 140 may be located in any one or more of the upper and lower portions of the module housing 130. For example, as Figure 1 shown, each of the two shielding members 140 may be located at the upper and lower portions of the module housing 130. The shielding member 140 may be made of a material having high thermal conductivity while being electrically insulating. For example, the shielding member 140 may include silicone resin.

[0057] The shielding member 140 may generally have a plate shape. For example, the shielding member 140 may have a plate shape extending in the horizontal direction to cover a part of the module housing 130 in which the plurality of exposure holes 131 are formed. Each shielding member 140 may have ventilation holes 141 having a size smaller than that of the exposure holes 131. For example, based on the size of the exposure holes 131, the ventilation holes 141 may have a size of 10% to 80%. In addition, when the battery cell 110 is configured to open a specific part due to an explosion, the ventilation holes 141 may be configured to have a size smaller than the opening size of the opened part.

[0058] Therefore, according to this configuration of the present disclosure, the battery module 100 according to the present disclosure includes a shielding member 140. This structure can physically block the movement of high-temperature active materials discharged from an exploded battery cell to adjacent battery cells while maintaining the function of discharging (i.e., exhausting) the gas and flame generated when the battery cell is ignited. In this way, when any one of the plurality of battery cells 110 operates abnormally, if the battery cell 110 explodes and ejects internal materials to the outside, gas and flame are ejected through the exposure holes 131, but the shielding member 140 inhibits the movement of high-temperature active materials. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the ejected internal materials from moving to other adjacent battery cells 110 through other adjacent exposure holes 131. That is, by forming the ventilation holes 141 to be smaller than the exposure holes 131, the shielding member 140 can allow the high-temperature gas ejected through the exposure holes 131 to pass through the ventilation holes 141, but prevent the ejected fragments of the electrode assembly from passing through the ventilation holes 141. Therefore, in the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent, for example, thermal runaway, fire, or explosion from spreading to other battery cells 110 in a chain ignition, thereby greatly improving safety.

[0059] Figure 4 is a plan view schematically showing a shielding member of a battery module according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0060] Refer to Figure 4 and Figure 2 , in the battery module 100 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, two or more shielding members 140 may be provided in region A, and the ventilation holes 141 face the exposure holes 131 in region A. For example, as shown in Figure 4 , the shielding member 140 may have six regions A, and the six regions A face six exposure holes 131. At this time, approximately six ventilation holes 141 may be located in the six regions A of the shielding member 140 that respectively face the six exposure holes 131.

[0061] Therefore, according to this configuration of the present disclosure, since the shielding member 140 of the present disclosure has two or more ventilation holes 141 at positions corresponding to the exposure holes 131, when the battery cell 110 explodes, the ejected gas is effectively discharged, and the fragments of the electrode assembly can be shielded from passing through the ventilation holes 141. That is, a part of the plurality of ventilation holes 141 may be formed at spaced positions that do not face the opening of the battery cell 110 generated in the battery cell 110 when the battery cell 110 explodes, thereby preventing the scattered solid materials from passing through the ventilation holes 141.

[0062] Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing a shielding member of a battery module according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0063] Refer to Figure 5 andFigure 2 , in the shielding member 140 of the battery module 100 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the ventilation holes 141 may be configured to have a diameter that gradually decreases in the outward direction (the direction away from the battery cells 110, which is the upward direction in this embodiment). That is, a tapered structure K may be provided on the inner surface of the ventilation holes 141. For example, as Figure 5 shown, the entrance of the ventilation hole 141 near the battery cells 110 may be larger than the exit at the outer side. In addition, the ventilation hole 141 may have an inclined inner surface that slopes towards the center of the diameter of the opening from the entrance at the inner side to the exit at the outer side.

[0064] Therefore, according to this configuration of the present disclosure, in the present disclosure, since the ventilation holes 141 are configured to have a diameter that gradually decreases in the outward direction, when the battery cells 110 explode, the ejected gas G can be effectively discharged, but the subsequent electrode assembly fragments are prevented from passing through, and the fragments are blocked by the inclined inner surface of the ventilation holes 141. That is, if the ventilation holes 141 have an inner surface with a tapered structure K such that their diameter gradually decreases in the outward direction, the area capable of shielding the fragments of the electrode assembly can be further increased, thereby more effectively preventing the scattered solid materials from passing through the ventilation holes 141.

[0065] Figure 6 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing the shielding member of the battery module according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0066] Referring to Figure 6 and Figure 2 , in the shielding member 140 of the battery module 100 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the ventilation holes 141 may be formed such that the shielding member 140 is perforated in a sawtooth form along the thickness direction of the shielding member 140. For example, the ventilation holes 141 may be formed such that the ventilation holes 141 are perforated to be inclined in one direction from the entrance formed near the battery cells 110, and the penetration direction is changed to be inclined in the other direction at the other side.

[0067] Therefore, according to this configuration of the present disclosure, since the shielding member 140 of the present disclosure has sawtooth-shaped ventilation holes 141, when the battery cells 110 explode, the ejected gas can pass through the ventilation holes 141, but the subsequent fragments of the electrode assembly can be blocked by the inclined inner surface of the ventilation holes 141 and will not pass through. Therefore, in the present disclosure, the high-temperature fragments of the electrode assembly do not move to other adjacent battery cells 110 due to the explosion of the battery cells 110, thereby preventing thermal runaway or fire caused by the moving fragments of the electrode assembly.

[0068] At the same time, referring again to Figure 2, the battery module 100 of the present disclosure may further include a connection plate 120. The connection plate 120 may be inserted between the shielding member 140 and the module housing 130. The connection plate 120 may have conductivity. For example, the connection plate 120 may include a metal such as aluminum, copper, or nickel.

[0069] In addition, the connection plate 120 may include a main body portion 121, a connection portion 122, and a connection hole 123. The main body portion 121 may have a plate shape extending in the horizontal direction. The main body portion 121 may be mounted to the upper or lower part of the module housing 130. For example, as Figure 2 shown, two connection plates 120 may be respectively mounted to the upper and lower parts of the module housing 130.

[0070] Furthermore, the connection portion 122 may be formed to extend from the main body portion 121 to contact the electrode terminal 111. For example, as Figure 2 shown, the connection portion 122 may have a bifurcated structure protruding and extending from the main body portion 121. The connection portion 122 may be welded to the electrode terminal 111. At this time, for example, resistance welding may be used as the welding method.

[0071] In addition, the connection hole 123 may be configured such that a part of the main body portion 121 is opened and the connection portion 122 is located within the opening. The connection hole 123 may have an approximately circular shape. The connection hole 123 may be configured to face the exposed hole 131 of the module housing 130.

[0072] Figure 7 is a partial perspective view schematically showing a connection plate of a battery module according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0073] Referring to Figure 7 , the connection plate 120 may include an extension portion 124 configured to cover a part of the connection hole 123. The extension portion 124 may have a shape protruding and extending in the horizontal direction from the edge of the connection hole 123. The extension portion 124 may be a part protruding from the edge of the connection hole 123 toward the connection portion 122. For example, as Figure 7 shown, the connection plate 120 may be configured such that five extension portions 124 protrude from the edge of the connection hole 123 toward the connection portion 122.

[0074] Figure 8 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing a part of the battery module taken along the line C-C’ of Figure 1 .

[0075] Referring to Figure 8 and Figure 1 and Figure 2, in the battery module 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a plurality of cover portions 132 may be provided on the upper surface or the lower surface of the module housing 130. The plurality of cover portions 132 may have a rib shape protruding from the outer periphery of each of the plurality of exposed holes 131 toward the connection plate 120. The cover portion 132 may be formed with a hollow portion penetrating in the vertical direction. The cover portion 132 formed on the upper surface of the module housing 130 may have an open top end. For example, as Figure 2 shown, the module housing 130 may include six cover portions 132 protruding from the upper surface of the module housing 130 toward the connection plate to cover the six exposed holes 131.

[0076] In addition, the connection plate 120 may be mounted on the top end of the cover portion 132. That is, the top surface of the cover portion 132 may contact the lower surface of the connection plate 120. In addition, the shielding member 140 may be mounted on the upper surface of the connection plate 120. The exposed hole 131, the connection hole 123, and the ventilation hole 141 may be configured to communicate with each other. Therefore, finally, the exhaust unit C2 of the battery cell 110, the opening D of the top cap C1, the exposed hole 131, and the ventilation hole 141 may all be located on the same line. Therefore, the path for discharging gas is minimized so that the gas can be smoothly discharged to the outside of the battery cell 110. The space between the upper surface of the upper frame 133 and the connection plate 120 may be used as an exhaust space in front of the battery cell 110.

[0077] In addition, when the battery cell 110 operates abnormally and causes internal materials to be ejected to the outside, the cover portion 132 may be configured to prevent the internal materials from moving to other adjacent battery cells 110 via other adjacent exposed holes 131. The cover portion 132 may have a cylindrical shape surrounding the exposed hole 131.

[0078] Therefore, according to this configuration of the present disclosure, the module housing 130 included in the battery module 100 according to the present disclosure includes a cover portion 132 that protrudes from the outer periphery of the exposed hole 131 toward the connection plate 120. This structure can physically block the movement of high-temperature active materials discharged from an exploded battery cell to adjacent battery cells while maintaining the function of discharging the gas and flame generated when the battery cell is ignited. In this way, when the battery cell 110 operates abnormally and explodes, causing internal materials to be ejected, gas and flame are ejected through the exposed hole 131, but the cover portion 132 inhibits the movement of high-temperature active materials. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the internal materials from moving to other adjacent battery cells 110 via other exposed holes 131, thereby preventing a chain ignition such as thermal runaway, fire, or explosion from spreading to other battery cells 110. Therefore, the present disclosure can greatly improve safety.

[0079] In the present disclosure, since the top surface of the cover portion 132 contacts the lower surface of the connection plate 120, even if some of the plurality of battery cells 110 explode, high-temperature active materials, gases, and flames can be prevented from moving to adjacent battery cells 110 via the empty space between the connection plate 120 and the module housing 130. The space between the upper surface of the upper frame 133 and the connection plate 120 serves as an exhaust space in front of the battery cells 110, and the cover portion 132 maintains the exhaust space in the upward direction of the battery cells 110 while maintaining the exhaust space to be independent of each battery cell 110 in the lateral direction of the battery cells 110. Therefore, the cover portion 132 can suppress the emission of high-temperature active materials and thus prevent them from moving to adjacent battery cells 110 while maintaining the function of ejecting the gases and flames generated during ignition. The cover portion 132 constitutes an isolation mechanism structure for each battery cell 110 to suppress the scattering of active material blocks. In this way, chain ignition can be suppressed, thereby greatly improving the safety of the battery module 100 of the present disclosure.

[0080] Figure 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view schematically showing a part of a battery module according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0081] Referring to Figure 9 , in the battery module 100 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, when compared with the cover portion of Figure 8 , the cover portion 132 may further include a bent portion 132a. The bent portion 132a may be configured to hide a part of the exposed hole 131 of the module housing 130. The bent portion 132a may be a part bent to extend from one end of the cover portion 132 protruding upward in the horizontal direction. The bent portion 132a may be configured to hide a part of the open end formed by the hollow portion of the cover portion 132. For example, the bent portion 132a may be configured to bend from the open end of the upper part of the cover portion 132 toward the center so that the opening of the open end is narrower.

[0082] Therefore, according to this configuration of the present disclosure, in the present disclosure, even if some of the plurality of battery cells 110 explode and eject internal materials (e.g., active materials), the amount of materials discharged to the outside of the module housing 130 can be effectively reduced by the bent portion 132a. Therefore, the movement of the internal materials ejected from the exploded battery cell 110 to other adjacent battery cells 110 can be effectively reduced. Finally, in the present disclosure, a battery module 100 with greatly improved safety can be provided.

[0083] Meanwhile, a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one battery module 100 and a battery management system (BMS) described above, and the battery management system is electrically connected to the battery module 100. The BMS may include various circuits or components for controlling charging and discharging of the plurality of battery cells.

[0084] Meanwhile, a vehicle (not shown) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one battery module 100 and a vehicle body described above, and the vehicle body has an accommodation space for accommodating the battery module 100. For example, the vehicle may be an electric vehicle, an electric scooter, an electric wheelchair, or an electric bicycle.

[0085] Meanwhile, even though directional terms (e.g., above, below, left, right, front, and rear) are used in the specification, for those skilled in the art, these only represent relative positions for ease of explanation and may vary based on the position of the observer or the object.

Claims

1. A battery module, the battery module include: a plurality of battery cells, each battery cell having electrode terminals, the electrode terminals being respectively formed at an upper portion and a lower portion of the battery cell; a module case configured to accommodate the plurality of battery cells and having a plurality of exposure holes configured to expose the upper portions or the lower portions of the battery cells; a shielding member located at any one or more of an upper portion and a lower portion of the module housing and having a plate shape, the shielding member being configured to have a ventilation hole having a size smaller than that of the exposure hole; as well as a connecting plate, the connecting plate being interposed between the shielding member and the module housing and having conductivity, the connecting plate comprising: a main body portion having a plate shape extending in a horizontal direction; a connecting portion extending from the main body portion to contact the electrode terminal; and a connecting hole formed by opening a portion of the main body portion so that the connecting portion is located in an opening of the main body portion, The module housing includes a plurality of cover parts, which are configured to protrude from the peripheries of the plurality of exposure holes toward the connection plate, respectively, and the cover parts have a hollow portion and are formed to have an open top end.

2. The battery module according to claim 1, in, Two or more ventilation holes are provided in a region of the shielding member facing the exposing hole.

3. The battery module according to claim 1, in, The ventilation holes are configured to have a diameter that gradually decreases in an outward direction.

4. The battery module according to claim 1, in, The ventilation holes are formed such that the shielding member is perforated in a zigzag manner along a thickness direction of the shielding member.

5. The battery module according to claim 1, in, The connection plate further includes an extending portion configured to cover a portion of the connection hole.

6. The battery module according to claim 5, in, The extending portion is configured to protrudingly extend from an edge of the connecting hole in a horizontal direction.

7. The battery module according to claim 6, in, The extending portion is a portion that protrudes from an edge of the connecting hole toward the connecting portion.

8. The battery module according to claim 1, in, The exposing hole, the connecting hole, and the ventilation hole are configured to communicate with each other.

9. The battery module according to claim 1, in, The cover portion includes a bent portion bent at the opening top end to extend in a horizontal direction to hide a portion of the connection hole of the connection plate.

10. A battery pack comprising at least one battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. A vehicle comprising at least one battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

Images