Battery module, battery pack including the same, and vehicle

Abstract

Disclosed is a battery module, and a battery pack and a vehicle including the same. A battery module according to one embodiment of the present application includes: a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked; a case in which the battery cell stack is accommodated and which forms a first outlet through which exhaust gas is discharged; an exhaust path member having a hole that communicates with the first outlet and is mounted on the case to provide a gas exhaust path, thereby discharging the exhaust gas but preventing a flame from being discharged; and a cover coupled to the case to cover the exhaust path member and having a second outlet through which the gas moving through the exhaust path member is discharged.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0002877, filed in Korea on January 8, 2021, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This disclosure relates to battery modules, battery packs including such battery modules, and vehicles, and more specifically, to battery modules that emit gases but not flames when a fire occurs in a battery cell, and to battery packs and vehicles including such battery modules. Background Technology

[0003] With technological advancements and increasing demand for mobile devices, the need for rechargeable batteries as an energy source has grown rapidly. Nickel-cadmium (NiCd) or hydrogen-ion batteries are typically used as rechargeable batteries. However, lithium-ion batteries have recently gained widespread use due to their virtually non-memory effect, free charging and discharging, very low self-discharge rate, and high energy density compared to nickel-based batteries.

[0004] Lithium-ion secondary batteries primarily use lithium oxide and carbonaceous materials as the positive and negative electrode active materials, respectively. A lithium-ion secondary battery includes an electrode assembly and an outer casing (i.e., the battery housing). Within the electrode assembly, positive and negative electrode plates, respectively coated with positive and negative electrode active materials, are arranged, and a separator is located between the positive and negative electrode plates. The outer casing together seals and contains the electrode assembly and the electrolyte solution.

[0005] A lithium-ion secondary battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator inserted between the positive and negative electrodes, and an electrolyte. Based on the materials used for the positive and negative electrode active materials, lithium-ion secondary batteries are classified into lithium-ion batteries (LIB) and polymer lithium-ion batteries (PLIB). Typically, the electrodes of a lithium-ion secondary battery are prepared by coating the positive or negative electrode active material onto a current collector made of aluminum or copper sheets, meshes, films, foils, etc., and then drying it.

[0006] Lithium-ion batteries have attracted attention due to their advantages such as high operating voltage and extremely high energy density. However, because they use organic electrolytes, overcharging lithium-ion batteries can cause overcurrent and overheating, which in severe cases can lead to explosion or fire due to ignition.

[0007] Various types of secondary batteries include battery modules with housings and battery packs comprising multiple battery modules, wherein the housings protect the battery cells, allowing multiple battery cells to be stacked and inserted into the housings.

[0008] Here, when a flame appears in at least one battery cell within the housing of a battery module, if the flame leaks out of the housing, it could spread to other battery modules and potentially pose a danger to the user. For example, when a battery module or battery pack is installed in an electric vehicle, if a flame is generated in a battery cell and leaks to the outside, the driver of the electric vehicle could be burned or put in a dangerous situation. Summary of the Invention

[0009] Technical issues

[0010] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a battery module, a battery pack and a vehicle including the battery module, wherein the battery module can expel gas from the housing when a flame appears in the battery cell, but prevents the flame from being expelled.

[0011] Technical solution

[0012] In one aspect of this disclosure, a battery module is provided, comprising: a battery cell stack having a plurality of battery cells stacked thereon; a housing configured to receive the battery cell stack and having a first vent hole formed for venting gas; a vent path member having a hole formed to communicate with the first vent hole and mounted to the housing to provide a vent path for the gas, thereby venting the gas and preventing flame leakage; and a cover coupled to the housing to cover the vent path member, the cover having a second vent hole through which gas moving through the vent path member is vented.

[0013] Furthermore, the first discharge hole formed in the housing and the second discharge hole formed in the cover can be formed in opposite directions, and gas can flow from the first discharge hole into the discharge path member, move through the discharge path member, and flow out through the second discharge hole.

[0014] In addition, the housing may include: a lower cover configured to receive the battery cell stack; and an upper cover coupled to the lower cover and having a plurality of mounting slots and a first discharge hole formed therein, the discharge path member being mounted at the mounting slots, the cover being coupled to the upper cover, and the discharge path member being located between the cover and the upper cover.

[0015] Additionally, the discharge path component can be installed into the mounting slot, such that the hole communicates with the first discharge hole.

[0016] In addition, the emission path component may include: a plurality of emission columns, each of which is mounted into a plurality of mounting slots and has holes formed therein; and a plurality of emission pipes configured to connect the plurality of emission columns to each other.

[0017] Furthermore, the discharge column may include: an upper component having a first connection hole connected to the discharge pipe and having a hollow interior; a lower component connected to the upper component, having a second connection hole connected to the discharge pipe and having a hollow interior; and an inner shaft, the inner circumference of which is inserted into the portion where the upper component and the lower component connect, the inner shaft having a first movable hole communicating with the first connection hole and a second movable hole communicating with the second connection hole, and the inner shaft having a hollow interior.

[0018] In addition, the discharge column may include: a top cover having a first hole and connected to the upper component; and a bottom cover having a second hole and connected to the lower component.

[0019] Furthermore, the upper component and the lower component are rotatably connected to each other.

[0020] Furthermore, the plurality of discharge columns can be connected to the plurality of discharge pipes respectively, and the discharge path member can be configured to extend and retract by rotation of the upper and lower components.

[0021] Furthermore, the first hole can be configured to communicate with the second discharge hole of the cover, and the second hole can be configured to communicate with the first discharge hole of the housing.

[0022] Furthermore, the battery module may further include a shut-off member configured to shut off at least one of the first connection hole and the second connection hole.

[0023] In addition, the battery module may also include a mica plate made of mica with heat insulation and heat resistance to prevent flame leakage.

[0024] Furthermore, in another aspect of this disclosure, a battery pack including a battery module or a vehicle including a battery module is also provided.

[0025] Beneficial effects

[0026] According to embodiments of this disclosure, when a flame occurs in a battery cell, the gas can be discharged from the housing through a discharge path component installed in the housing, but the flame is prevented from being discharged. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1This is a perspective view showing an assembled battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view showing a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] Figure 3 This is a perspective view showing the removal of the cover from the battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing a top cover having a first discharge hole in a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 5 This is an assembled perspective view showing the emission path components in a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 6 This illustrates a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 5 An exploded 3D view of the emission path components.

[0033] Figure 7 (a) and Figure 7 (b) is a diagram showing the rotation of the upper and lower components of the discharge column in a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] Figure 8 (a) and Figure 8 (b) is a diagram illustrating a newly constructed emission path component in a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] Figures 9 to 11 This is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of the emission path component, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, modified and connected to the top cover in the battery module. Detailed Implementation

[0036] In the following, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Before description, it should be understood that the terminology used in the specification and appended claims should not be construed as limited to its general or dictionary meaning, but rather is interpreted based on the principle that inventors are allowed to appropriately define terms for best interpretation, and on the meanings and concepts corresponding to the technical aspects of the present disclosure. Therefore, the description presented herein is merely a preferred example for illustrative purposes and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure; thus, it should be understood that other equivalents and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0037] In the accompanying drawings, for ease of description and clarity, the dimensions of each element or a specific portion of an element may be enlarged, omitted, or shown schematically. Therefore, the dimensions of each element do not perfectly reflect its actual size. Detailed descriptions of well-known functions or elements relevant to this disclosure will be omitted if they unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of this disclosure.

[0038] The term “connection” or “link” as used herein can refer not only to a situation where one component is directly joined or directly connected to another component, but also to a situation where one component is indirectly joined or indirectly connected to another component via a connecting component.

[0039] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing an assembly of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view showing a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 This is a perspective view showing the removal of the cover from a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4 This is a diagram showing a top cover having a first discharge port in a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 5 This is an assembled perspective view showing the emission path components in a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 6 This illustrates a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 5 An exploded 3D view of the emission path components. Figure 7 (a) and Figure 7 (b) is a diagram showing the rotation of the upper and lower components of the discharge column in a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 8 (a) and Figure 8 (b) is a diagram illustrating a newly constructed emission path component in a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] Referring to the accompanying drawings, the battery module 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a battery cell stack 100, a housing 200, a discharge path component 300, and a cover 400.

[0041] In the battery cell stack 100, multiple battery cells with electrode leads are stacked. The electrode leads disposed in the battery cells are exposed to the outside and may be made of conductive material to serve as terminals for connection to external devices.

[0042] The electrode leads may include positive leads and negative leads. The positive leads and negative leads may be arranged in opposite directions relative to the longitudinal direction of the battery cell, or they may be arranged in the same direction relative to the longitudinal direction of the battery cell.

[0043] The positive and negative leads can be made of various materials. For example, the positive lead can be made of aluminum, and the negative lead can be made of copper.

[0044] Electrode leads can be electrically connected to a busbar (not shown). The battery cell can have a structure suitable for stacking multiple cell units (with a positive plate, separator, and negative plate arranged sequentially in each cell unit) or multiple dual cells (with a positive plate, separator, negative plate, separator, positive plate, separator, and negative plate arranged sequentially in each dual cell unit).

[0045] The battery cell stack 100 can be configured such that multiple battery cells are stacked on top of each other. Here, the battery cells can have various structures, and multiple battery cells can be stacked in various ways.

[0046] The battery cell stack 100 may include a plurality of boxes (not shown) for each battery cell. Each box (not shown) may be manufactured by injection molding, and multiple boxes (not shown) may be stacked, each box having a receiving portion capable of accommodating the battery cells.

[0047] The box assembly, which stacks multiple boxes (not shown), may have connector elements or terminal elements. The connector elements may include, for example, various types of electrical connection parts or components for connecting to a battery management system (BMS), which can provide data on the voltage or temperature of the battery cells.

[0048] Furthermore, the terminal element includes a positive terminal and a negative terminal as the main terminals connected to the battery cell, and the terminal element may have terminal bolts for electrical connection to the outside. Additionally, the battery cell may have various shapes.

[0049] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The battery cell stack 100 is housed in the housing 200 and forms a first vent 221 for venting gas (see Figure 4 For example, the housing 200 may be configured to stack 100 around the battery cells.

[0050] The housing 200 completely surrounds the battery cell stack 100, thereby protecting the battery cell stack 100 from external vibration or impact.

[0051] The shape of the housing 200 can correspond to the shape of the battery cell stack 100. For example, if the battery cell stack 100 is set to a hexahedral shape, the housing 200 can also be set to a corresponding hexahedral shape.

[0052] The housing 200 can be manufactured, for example, by bending a metal sheet, and can be manufactured as a single piece or as a detachable piece. Here, the housing 200 can be made of steel that can withstand flames, but the material of the housing 200 is not limited to steel and can include various metals.

[0053] Furthermore, the housing 200 may include a mica sheet made of mica with heat insulation and heat resistance properties to prevent flame leakage. Here, the mica sheet may include not only a flat mica sheet, but also a mica sheet with a shape that combines flat and curved surfaces.

[0054] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The housing 200 may include a lower cover 210 and an upper cover 220. The battery cell stack 100 is housed in the lower cover 210.

[0055] The upper cover 220 is connected to the lower cover 210. (See reference) Figure 4 Multiple mounting slots 222 and a first discharge hole 221 are formed in the upper cover 220, and the discharge path component 300 is installed in the mounting slots 222. The discharge path component 300 can be fixed to the mounting slots 222 by press fitting.

[0056] In addition, the first discharge port 221 and the second port 331 of the discharge path component 300 (see...) Figure 6 It is connected and configured such that gas generated within the housing 200 moves through the first discharge port 221 of the top cover 220 to the discharge path member 300.

[0057] The housing 200 may have a through-hole (not shown) formed therein, through which a connector element or terminal element may be exposed to the outside. That is, the connector element or terminal element may be electrically connected to a predetermined external component or member, and the through-hole may be formed in the housing 200 so that the electrical connection is not interfered with by the housing 200.

[0058] An aperture (e.g., a second aperture 331) communicating with the first discharge port 221 is formed in the discharge path member 300 and installed into the housing 200 to provide a gas discharge passage. That is, when a flame is generated and gas is generated in at least one of the battery cells arranged in the housing 200, the gas in the housing 200 is discharged through the discharge path member 300, but the flame is prevented from being discharged through the housing 200.

[0059] See Figures 1 to 4The discharge path member 300 communicates with the first discharge hole 221 formed in the housing 200 and also communicates with the second discharge hole 410 formed in the cover 400. That is, the gas in the housing 200 flows into the discharge path member 300 through the first discharge hole 221, moves through the discharge path member 300, and is discharged from the housing 200 through the second discharge hole 410 of the cover 400.

[0060] At this time, since the flame generated inside the casing 200 may leak through the first vent 221, refer to Figure 2 The first discharge hole 221 formed in the housing 200 and the second discharge hole 410 formed in the cover 400 need to be far apart.

[0061] That is, the first discharge hole 221 formed in the housing 200 and the second discharge hole 410 formed in the cover 400 are formed in opposite directions. Since the flame moves substantially upward, according to the above structure, even if the flame moves upward through the first discharge hole 221, the flame cannot move left or right through the discharge path member 300, so the flame cannot move to the second discharge hole 410 formed opposite to the first discharge hole 221.

[0062] As a result, gas can flow from the first discharge hole 221 into the discharge path member 300, move through the discharge path member 300, and flow out to the second discharge hole 410, but the flame cannot be discharged through the second discharge hole 410.

[0063] The discharge path member 300 is mounted into a plurality of mounting slots 222 formed in the upper cover 220 of the housing 200. Here, a first discharge hole 221 is formed in at least one of the plurality of mounting slots 222, and a second hole 331 formed in the discharge path member 300 is mounted into the mounting slot 222 to communicate with the first discharge hole 221.

[0064] That is, the gas generated inside the housing 200 can move from the housing 200 to the discharge path member 300 through the first discharge hole 221 of the top cover 220 and the second hole 331 of the discharge path member 300.

[0065] Let's refer to each other. Figure 3 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 The emission path component 300 includes multiple emission columns 310 and multiple emission pipes 340.

[0066] Multiple discharge columns 310 are provided, and the multiple discharge columns 310 are respectively installed into multiple mounting slots 222. In addition, a second hole 331 communicating with the first discharge hole 221 is formed in the discharge column 310. That is, when the discharge column 310 is installed on the mounting slot 222, the second hole 331 formed in the discharge column 310 communicates with the first discharge hole 221 formed in the upper cover 220.

[0067] In addition, multiple discharge columns 310 are connected to multiple discharge pipes 340, which will be explained later, and gas can move through the discharge columns 310 and the discharge pipes 340.

[0068] Reference Figure 5 and Figure 6 The discharge column 310 may include an upper component 311, a lower component 312 and an inner shaft 313, and may also include a top cover 320 and a bottom cover 330.

[0069] The upper component 311 has a first connection hole 314 connected to the discharge pipe 340, and the upper component 311 has a hollow interior. That is, the discharge pipe 340 is connected to the first connection hole 314, and gas can move through the hollow portion inside the upper component 311 to move from the upper component 311 of the discharge column 310 to the discharge pipe 340.

[0070] Reference Figure 5 and Figure 6 When the first connection hole 314 of the upper component 311 is not used, the first connection hole 314 can be configured to be closed by the closing member 500. Here, the closing member 500 can be made of various materials, such as rubber. However, the material of the closing member 500 is not limited to this.

[0071] The lower component 312 has a second connection hole 316 connected to the discharge pipe 340, and the lower component 312 has a hollow interior. That is, the discharge pipe 340 is connected to the second connection hole 316, and after the gas moves from the discharge pipe 340 to the lower component 312 of the discharge column 310, the gas can move through the hollow portion inside the lower component 312.

[0072] Similar to the upper component 311, the second connection hole 316 of the lower component 312 can be configured to be closed by the closing member 500 when not in use. The material of the closing member 500 for closing the lower component 312 is the same as the material of the closing member 500 for closing the upper component 311.

[0073] The inner shaft 313 is inserted into the portion connecting the upper component 311 and the lower component 312 to support the upper component 311 and the lower component 312. A first movable hole 318 communicating with the first connecting hole 314 of the upper component 311 is formed in the inner shaft 313, and a second movable hole communicating with the second connecting hole 316 of the lower component 312 is formed in the inner shaft 313.

[0074] The interior of the inner shaft 313 is hollow, and the gas moving into the inner shaft 313 moves upward through the hollow interior.

[0075] In other words, the gas that moves to the lower component 312 via the discharge pipe 340 connected to the lower component 312 moves into the inner shaft 313 through the second moving hole of the inner shaft 313, which communicates with the second connecting hole 316 of the lower component 312, and moves upward to the upper component 311 through the hollow interior of the inner shaft 313. Then, it moves from the interior of the inner shaft 313 to the discharge pipe 340 connected to the upper component 311 through the first moving hole 318 of the inner shaft 313, which communicates with the first connecting hole 314 of the upper component 311.

[0076] The top cover 320 has a first hole 321 and is connected to the upper component 311. The method of connecting the top cover 320 to the upper component 311 will be described below. Since there are multiple discharge columns 310, multiple top covers 320 are also provided, each connected to one of the multiple discharge columns 310.

[0077] Here, a first hole 321 formed in one of the multiple top covers 320 communicates with a second discharge hole 410 formed in the cover 400. Here, since the first hole 321 formed in another of the multiple top covers 320 is closed by contacting the cover 400, gas can be discharged outside the cover 400 only through the first hole 321 communicating with the second discharge hole 410.

[0078] However, this is only one implementation, and multiple second discharge holes 410 may be formed in the cover 400. In this case, the first hole 321 of the top cover 320 may be configured to communicate with each of the multiple second discharge holes 410.

[0079] Furthermore, as described above, when the gas introduced into the lower component 312 through the discharge pipe 340 moves to the upper component 311 through the hollow portion of the inner shaft 313, the gas can be discharged to the outside of the cover 400 through the second discharge hole 410 which communicates with the first hole 321.

[0080] The bottom cover 330 has a second hole 331 and is connected to the lower part 312. The method of connecting the bottom cover 330 to the lower part 312 will be described below. Since multiple discharge columns 310 are provided, multiple bottom covers 330 are also provided, each connected to one of the multiple discharge columns 310.

[0081] Here, a second hole 331 formed in one of the plurality of bottom covers 330 communicates with a first discharge hole 221 formed in the upper cover 220 of the housing 200. Here, since the second hole 331 formed in the other of the plurality of bottom covers 330 is closed by contacting the upper cover 220, gas can move from the housing 200 to the lower component 312 only through the second hole 331 that communicates with the first discharge hole 221.

[0082] However, this is only one implementation, and a plurality of first discharge holes 221 may be formed in the upper cover 220. In this case, the second hole 331 of the bottom cover 330 may be configured to communicate with each of the plurality of first discharge holes 221.

[0083] The upper component 311 is connected to the lower component 312, and the lower component 312 is connected to the upper component 311. Here, there are various methods for connecting the upper component 311 to the lower component 312. For example, the inner shaft 313 can be press-fitted into the center of the upper component 311 and the lower component 312, so that the upper component 311 and the lower component 312 can be connected.

[0084] In addition, refer to Figure 6 Connecting protrusions 322 and 332 are formed on the top cover 320 and the bottom cover 330, respectively, and connecting grooves 315 and 317 are formed in the upper component 311 and the lower component 312, respectively. Moreover, the connecting protrusion 322 of the top cover 320 can be connected to the connecting groove 315 of the upper component 311, and the connecting protrusion 332 of the bottom cover 330 can be connected to the connecting groove 317 of the lower component 312.

[0085] Therefore, as Figure 5 As shown, the upper part 311, the lower part 312 and the inner shaft 313 of the discharge column 310 can be connected to the top cover 320 and the bottom cover 330.

[0086] In addition, see Figure 7 (a) and Figure 7 (b) The upper part 311 and the lower part 312 can be rotatably connected to each other. If the upper part 311 and the lower part 312 are rotatably connected in this way, then as Figure 8 (a) and Figure 8 As shown in (b), the discharge path member 300 can be configured to extend and retract by rotation of the upper member 311 and the lower member 312.

[0087] When the emission path component 300, such as Figure 8 When unfolded as shown in (a), the discharge path member 300 can be installed into the mounting slot 222 of the upper cover 220, and when the discharge path member 300 is as shown in (a), the discharge path member 300 can be installed into the mounting slot 222 of the upper cover 220. Figure 8 When folded as shown in (b), the discharge path component 300 can be easily stored.

[0088] Multiple discharge pipes 340 are provided, and the multiple discharge pipes 340 are configured to connect multiple discharge columns 310 to each other. That is, refer to Figure 5 and 6 The discharge pipe 340 is connected to the first connection hole 314 of the upper component 311 and also to the second connection hole 316 of the lower component 312. In addition, a hollow portion is formed inside the discharge pipe 340, through which gas can move.

[0089] Reference Figure 2 The cover 400 is connected to the housing 200 to cover the discharge path member 300, and a second discharge port 410 is formed in the cover 400 through which gas moving through the discharge path member 300 is discharged. Here, the cover 400 is connected to the upper cover 220, and the discharge path member 300 is located between the cover 400 and the upper cover 220 to communicate with the first discharge port 221 of the upper cover 220 and the second discharge port 410 of the cover 400, respectively.

[0090] That is, the gas generated inside the housing 200 moves to the discharge path member 300 through the first discharge hole 221 of the top cover 220, and is discharged to the outside from the discharge path member 300 through the second discharge hole 410 of the cover 400.

[0091] Figure 9 and Figure 11 This is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of the emission path member 300, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, modified and connected to the top cover 220 in the battery module 10.

[0092] In the following description, the operation and effects of the battery module 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0093] Reference Figure 2 The battery cell stack 100 is housed within the casing 200. (See reference...) Figure 4 The first discharge hole 221 is formed in the upper cover 220 of the housing 200, and the first discharge hole 221 communicates with the second hole 331 formed in the bottom cover 330 of the discharge column 310.

[0094] In addition, refer to Figure 2 and 4 The second discharge hole 410 of the cover 400 is formed on the opposite side of the first discharge hole 221 away from the upper cover 220. In addition, the second discharge hole 410 of the cover 400 communicates with the first hole 321 formed in the top cover 320 of the discharge column 310.

[0095] Furthermore, since the discharge column 310 is connected to the discharge pipe 340, the gas generated by the ignition of the battery cell inside the housing 200 moves to the discharge column 310 through the first discharge hole 221 of the upper cover 220 and the second hole 331 of the bottom cover 330.

[0096] Furthermore, the gas that moves to the discharge column 310 moves in the opposite direction through the discharge pipe 340 connected to the discharge column 310, and then is discharged to the outside of the cover 400 through the first hole 321 formed in the top cover 320 of the discharge column 310, the first hole 321 being located in the opposite direction to the first discharge hole 221 and the second discharge hole 410 of the cover 400.

[0097] Here, the housing 200 is made of a metal plate or a mica plate, and the first discharge hole 221 and the second discharge hole 410 are located in opposite directions to each other, so that the flame generated by the ignition of the battery cell inside the housing 200 cannot be discharged.

[0098] By doing so, when a flame appears in the battery cell, there is an effect of venting gas to the outside of the casing 200 while preventing flame leakage.

[0099] Reference Figures 9 to 11 The discharge path component 300 can be configured in various ways. That is, the position of the second discharge hole 410 can be changed, or the path of the discharge path component 300 can be formed differently.

[0100] For example, when the driver is positioned above the battery module 10 according to one embodiment, the position of the second discharge port 410 and the path of the discharge path member 300 can be formed differently, such that gas is discharged to a position where the driver is not present.

[0101] Furthermore, a battery pack (not shown) according to another embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one battery module 10 as described above in the embodiments of the present disclosure. In addition to the battery module 10, the battery pack (not shown) may also include a housing for accommodating the battery module 10, and various devices for controlling the charging and discharging of the battery module 10, such as a BMS, a current sensor, a fuse, etc.

[0102] Furthermore, a vehicle (not shown) according to embodiments of the present disclosure may include the aforementioned battery module 10 or battery pack (not shown), and the battery pack (not shown) may include the battery module 10. Additionally, the battery module 10 according to embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to a vehicle (not shown), such as a predetermined vehicle (not shown) configured to use electricity, such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid electric vehicle.

[0103] The present invention has been described in detail. However, it should be understood that although preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been pointed out, the detailed description and specific examples are given by way of illustration only, as various changes and modifications within the scope of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art based on the detailed description.

[0104] Industrial applicability

[0105] This disclosure relates to battery modules, battery packs including the battery modules, and vehicles, and more specifically, this disclosure can be used in industries related to secondary batteries.

Claims

1.A battery module comprising: a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked; a case configured to accommodate the battery cell stack and having a first discharge hole formed to discharge a gas; a discharge path member having a hole formed to communicate with the first discharge hole and mounted to the case to provide a discharge path of the gas to discharge the gas but prevent a flame from leaking; and a cover coupled to the case to cover the discharge path member and having a second discharge hole through which the gas moving through the discharge path member is discharged, wherein the discharge path member includes a plurality of discharge columns having the hole formed therein and a plurality of discharge tubes connecting the plurality of discharge columns to each other, and wherein the discharge column further includes: an upper part having a first connection hole connected to the discharge tube and having a hollowed interior; a lower part coupled to the upper part, the lower part having a second connection hole connected to the discharge tube and having a hollowed interior; and an inner shaft inserted into a portion where the upper part and the lower part are connected, the inner shaft having a first movement hole communicating with the first connection hole and a second movement hole communicating with the second connection hole, the inner shaft having a hollowed interior. 2.The battery module of claim 1, the first discharge hole formed in the case is formed at an opposite side from the second discharge hole formed in the cover, and wherein the gas flows into the discharge path member from the first discharge hole, moves through the discharge path member, and flows out through the second discharge hole. 3.The battery module of claim 2, the case includes: wherein a lower cover configured to accommodate the battery cell stack; and an upper cover coupled to the lower cover and having a plurality of mounting grooves for mounting the discharge path member and the first discharge hole formed in the upper cover, wherein the cover is coupled to the upper cover and the discharge path member is positioned between the cover and the upper cover. 4.The battery module of claim 3, the discharge path member is mounted to the mounting grooves such that the hole communicates with the first discharge hole. wherein 5.The battery module of claim 4, the plurality of discharge columns are respectively mounted to the plurality of mounting grooves. wherein 6.The battery module of claim 5, the discharge column includes: wherein, a top cover having a first hole and coupled to the upper part; and a bottom cover having a second hole and coupled to the lower part. 7.The battery module of claim 5, the upper part and the lower part are rotatably coupled to each other. wherein 8.The battery module of claim 7, the plurality of discharge columns are respectively connected to the plurality of discharge tubes, and wherein, the discharge path member is configured to be expandable and contractible by rotation of the upper part and the lower part. ​ 9.The battery module of claim 6, wherein the first hole is configured to communicate with the second discharge hole of the cover, and the second hole is configured to communicate with the first discharge hole of the case. 10.The battery module of claim 6, further comprising: a closing member configured to close at least one of the first connection hole and the second connection hole. 11.The battery module of claim 1, further comprising: a mica plate made of mica having thermal insulation and heat resistance to prevent flame leakage. 12.A battery pack comprising the battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 11. 13.A vehicle comprising the battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

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