battery pack

Abstract

This invention relates to a battery pack, and provides a battery pack that prevents or reduces explosions by minimizing impact and heat transfer between a plurality of built-in battery modules. The battery pack includes: a first battery module and a second battery module arranged along a first direction; an extrusion beam unit disposed between the first battery module and the second battery module; and a housing therein housing the first battery module, the second battery module, and the extrusion beam unit, wherein the extrusion beam unit includes a first heat-insulating pad facing the first battery module and a second heat-insulating pad facing the second battery module.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0047658, filed on April 13, 2021, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

[0002] This disclosure relates to a battery pack, and more specifically, to a battery pack that prevents or reduces explosions by minimizing shock and heat transfer between multiple built-in battery modules. Background Technology

[0003] Battery packs are used in a variety of fields, such as electric vehicles, and also in transportation or mobility devices. Therefore, the environments in which battery packs are used may involve continuous impact on the battery packs. In addition, heat generated within the battery pack itself or heat received from the surrounding environment may cause the battery pack to explode.

[0004] A battery module is formed by multiple battery cells, and multiple battery modules can be built into a battery pack. This structure is designed for the safe and efficient management of a large number of battery cells.

[0005] If multiple battery modules within a battery pack catch fire simultaneously, a powerful explosion may occur, leading to a serious accident.

[0006] Therefore, it is necessary to prevent accidents in the battery pack or minimize the severity of accidents by blocking or delaying the transmission of shocks such as heat or vibration between battery modules built into the battery pack. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Technical issues

[0008] This disclosure relates to a battery pack, and provides a battery pack that prevents or reduces explosions by minimizing shock and heat transfer between multiple battery modules embedded therein.

[0009] The technical objectives to be achieved by this disclosure are not limited to the technical problems described above. Other technical objectives not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

[0010] Technical solution

[0011] An exemplary embodiment of the battery pack disclosed herein includes: a first battery module and a second battery module arranged along a first direction; an extrusion beam unit disposed between the first battery module and the second battery module; and a housing therein housing the first battery module, the second battery module and the extrusion beam unit, wherein the extrusion beam unit includes a first heat insulation pad facing the first battery module and a second heat insulation pad facing the second battery module.

[0012] Beneficial effects

[0013] According to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, battery packs can suppress impact and heat transfer between battery modules by providing crush beams with heat-insulating pads between the battery modules. Therefore, even if a single battery module overheats or explodes, a chain reaction explosion of surrounding battery modules can be prevented or delayed.

[0014] The battery packs of exemplary embodiments of this disclosure are able to operate stably even in environments that continuously generate heat and vibration. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a battery pack according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing the extrusion beam unit.

[0017] Figure 3 This is a perspective view showing the first insulation pad.

[0018] Figure 4 It is along Figure 2 The cross-sectional view taken by line AA.

[0019] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating another exemplary embodiment of the battery pack disclosed herein.

[0020] Figure 6 It is along Figure 2 The cross-sectional view taken from line BB.

[0021] Figure 7 This is a graph showing the temperature of each battery module over time in a battery pack without the first and second heat insulation pads.

[0022] Figure 8 This is a graph showing the temperature of each battery module over time in a battery pack with a first heat insulation pad and a second heat insulation pad. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The battery pack of an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure includes:

[0024] A first battery module and a second battery module arranged along a first direction;

[0025] An extrusion beam unit is disposed between the first battery module and the second battery module; and

[0026] The housing is configured to house the first battery module, the second battery module, and the extruded beam unit.

[0027] The extrusion beam unit may include a first heat insulation pad facing the first battery module and a second heat insulation pad facing the second battery module.

[0028] In the battery pack disclosed herein, the first or second heat insulation pad may include a mica sheet layer and a ceramic paper layer.

[0029] In the battery pack disclosed herein, the first or second heat insulation pad may be formed by laminating a ceramic paper layer between two mica sheet layers.

[0030] In the battery pack disclosed herein, the thickness of the two mica sheet layers can be from 0.05 mm to 0.5 mm, and the thickness of the ceramic paper layer can be from 1 mm to 5 mm.

[0031] In the battery pack disclosed herein, the extrusion beam unit may further include: a first frame portion, one side of which is attached to a first heat insulation pad; and a second frame portion, one side of which faces the other side of the first frame portion, the other side of which is attached to a second heat insulation pad, and the first frame portion and the second frame portion may be combined such that the other side of the first frame portion and the one side of the second frame portion are spaced apart from each other.

[0032] In the battery pack of this disclosure, when the first direction is perpendicular to the vertical direction, and the second direction is perpendicular to both the first direction and the vertical direction, the first frame portion may include:

[0033] A first main body portion formed by a planar plate perpendicular to a first direction; and a pair of first wings portion formed as protruding from both ends of the first main body portion in a second direction, wherein the pair of first wings portion can be attached to the inner surface of the outer shell.

[0034] In the battery pack disclosed herein, the second frame portion may include: a second main body portion formed by a planar plate perpendicular to a first direction; and a pair of second wings portion formed to protrude from both ends of the second main body portion in a second direction, wherein the ends of the first wings portion may be bent in the first direction to form a first bonding region, and the second wings portion may be bonded to the first bonding region.

[0035] The battery pack disclosed herein may further include:

[0036] A third battery module and a fourth battery module are arranged along a first direction together with the first battery module and the second battery module;

[0037] The fifth battery module located on the first battery module; and

[0038] The sixth battery module is located on the third battery module.

[0039] In the battery pack disclosed herein, one side of the first battery module can be in close contact with the third battery module, the other side of the first battery module can be in close contact with the first heat insulation pad, one side of the second battery module can be in close contact with the second heat insulation pad, and the other side of the second battery module can be in close contact with the fourth battery module.

[0040] The battery pack disclosed herein may further include: an extruded layer stacked on top of the first battery module and the third battery module, and a fifth battery module and a sixth battery module may be stacked on the upper surface of the extruded layer.

[0041] In the battery pack of this disclosure, the extruded layer may include: a first layer having an upper surface that is coupled to the lower ends of the fifth battery module and the sixth battery module; and a second layer having a lower surface that is coupled to the upper ends of the first battery module and the third battery module, and the first layer and the second layer may be coupled together with the lower surface of the first layer and the upper surface of the second layer spaced apart from each other.

[0042] In the battery pack disclosed herein, the first frame portion may further include a support portion protruding from the upper end of the first body portion, and the support portion may be combined with the extruded layer.

[0043] Methods of implementing the invention

[0044] In the following, exemplary embodiments according to this disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, for clarity and convenience of explanation, the dimensions or shapes of components shown in the drawings may be exaggerated. Furthermore, terms specifically defined in consideration of the construction and operation of this disclosure may vary according to the intention or habit of the user or operator. The definitions of these terms should be based on the context of the entire specification.

[0045] In the description of this disclosure, it should be noted that the orientations or positional relationships indicated by terms such as “center,” “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “right,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “inner,” “outer,” “one side,” and “the other side” are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientations or positional relationships typically arranged when using products according to this disclosure. These are used only for the description and brief illustration of this disclosure and should not be construed as limiting this disclosure, as they do not suggest or imply that the indicated devices or elements must be configured or operated in the specified orientation.

[0046] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a battery pack according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing the extrusion beam unit. Figure 3 This is a perspective view showing the first heat insulation pad 230. Figure 4 It is along Figure 2 The cross-sectional view taken by line AA. Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating another exemplary embodiment of the battery pack disclosed herein. Figure 6 It is along Figure 2 The cross-sectional view taken from line BB. Figure 7 It is a graph showing the temperature of each battery module over time in a battery pack without the first heat insulation pad 230 and the second heat insulation pad 240. Figure 8 This is a graph showing the temperature of each battery module over time in a battery pack having a first heat insulation pad 230 and a second heat insulation pad 240.

[0047] In the following text, reference will be made to Figures 1 to 8 A battery pack of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure is described in detail.

[0048] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The battery pack of an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure includes:

[0049] A first battery module 110 and a second battery module 120 arranged along a first direction;

[0050] An extrusion beam unit 200 disposed between the first battery module 110 and the second battery module 120; and

[0051] The housing 300 is configured to house the first battery module 110, the second battery module 120, and the extrusion beam unit 200.

[0052] The extrusion beam unit 200 may include a first heat insulation pad 230 facing the first battery module 110 and a second heat insulation pad 240 facing the second battery module 120.

[0053] A battery module can be a bundle of a predetermined number of battery cells placed in a frame to protect the battery cells from external shocks, heat and vibration.

[0054] A battery cell is the basic unit of a battery that uses electrical energy through charging or discharging, and it is manufactured by housing the positive electrode, negative electrode, separator, and electrolyte in a battery casing.

[0055] A battery pack can be the final form of a battery system installed in an electric vehicle. In addition to multiple battery modules, a battery pack may also include various control and protection systems, such as a battery management system (BMS) and a cooling system.

[0056] The battery pack of an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure may include a plurality of battery modules housed in a housing 300 while being arranged along a first direction. When one of the arranged battery modules is referred to as a first battery module 110 and the battery module adjacent to the first battery module 110 is referred to as a second battery module 120, an extrusion beam unit 200 having a first heat insulation pad 230 and a second heat insulation pad 240 may be inserted between the first battery module 110 and the second battery module 120.

[0057] The first direction could be Figures 1 to 6 The x-axis direction in the diagram. The second direction, which will be described later, could be... Figures 1 to 6 The first direction is the y-axis, and the vertical direction can be the z-axis. In the battery pack of this disclosure, the battery cells can be arranged in a planar shape perpendicular to the first direction, and multiple battery cells can be stacked in the battery module along the first direction, such that the surfaces of the individual battery cells face each other. An extrusion beam unit 200 can be disposed between multiple battery modules arranged along the first direction to mitigate impact.

[0058] like Figure 3 As shown, the first heat insulation pad 230 or the second heat insulation pad 240 may include a mica sheet layer 231 and a ceramic paper layer 233.

[0059] Mica sheets are electrically insulating and heat-resistant sheets that can be used at temperatures up to 500°C and can withstand heat up to 800°C.

[0060] The ceramic paper layer 233 can be formed in paper form by adding a binder to ceramic fibers (e.g., Superwool bulk fiber). The ceramic fibers may include a mixture of CaO and MgO as well as SiO2. More specifically, based on total weight, the ceramic paper layer 233 may include 30 wt% to 40 wt% of a mixture of CaO and MgO and 60 wt% to 70 wt% of SiO2.

[0061] like Figure 3 As shown, the first heat insulation pad 230 or the second heat insulation pad 240 can be formed by laminating a ceramic paper layer 233 between two mica sheet layers 231. In this case, the thickness of the two mica sheet layers 231 can be 0.05 mm to 0.5 mm, and the thickness of the ceramic paper layer 233 can be 1 mm to 5 mm. For example, the mica sheet layer 231 can be formed with a thickness of 0.1 mm, and the ceramic paper layer 233 can be formed with a thickness of 3 mm. Utilizing the laminated structure described above, the sway and tolerances of the battery module can be absorbed. The mica sheet layer 231 acts as an insulating material to block unacceptable electrical connections between adjacent structures and can support the ceramic paper layer 233 to maintain a constant shape due to its relatively high rigidity. The ceramic paper layer 233 exhibits an increasing heat insulation effect as its thickness increases. However, the thickness can be determined considering structural conditions.

[0062] like Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, the extrusion beam unit 200 may further include:

[0063] A first frame portion 210, with a first heat insulation pad 230 attached to one side of the first frame portion 210; and

[0064] The second frame portion 220 has one side facing the other side of the first frame portion 210, and the other side of the second frame portion 220 is attached to the second heat insulation pad 240.

[0065] In other words, the first frame portion 210 can be in close contact with one side of the first battery module 110 with the first heat insulation pad 230 inserted between them, and the second frame portion 220 can be in close contact with one side of the second battery module 120 with the second heat insulation pad 240 inserted between them.

[0066] The first frame portion 210 and the second frame portion 220 can be combined such that one side of the first frame portion 210 is spaced apart from one side of the second frame portion 220. A support device can be provided between the other side of the first frame portion 210 and one side of the second frame portion 220 to maintain the distance between the two surfaces. However, the entire space between these two surfaces is not completely filled. Due to the above structure, the transfer of heat generated in a single battery module to another battery module along the structure of the extruded beam unit 200 can be minimized.

[0067] like Figure 2 As shown, when the first direction is perpendicular to the vertical direction, and the direction perpendicular to both the first and vertical directions is referred to as the second direction, the first frame portion 210 may include: a first main body portion 211 formed by a planar plate perpendicular to the first direction; and a pair of first wings 212 formed to protrude from both ends of the first main body portion 211 in the second direction, and the pair of first wings 212 may be attached to the inner surface of the housing 300. In other words, each of the first wings 212 is formed at each of the two edges of the first main body portion 211, and the first wings may be fixed to the housing 300 to prevent the compression beam unit 200 from swinging within the housing 300.

[0068] The second frame portion 220 may include: a second main body portion 221 formed by a planar plate perpendicular to the first direction; and a pair of second wings 222 formed to protrude from both ends of the second main body portion 221 in the second direction.

[0069] The end of the first wing 212 can be bent in a first direction to form a first bonding region 212a, and the second wing 222 can be bonded to the first bonding region 212a.

[0070] The outer surface of the first bonding region 212a formed by bending the first wing 212 can be bonded to the inner surface of the outer shell 300, and the second wing 222 of the second frame portion 220 can be bonded to the first bonding region 212a. The end of the second wing 222 can also be bent to form the second bonding region 222a (see...). Figure 4 Furthermore, the second bonding region 222a can be bonded to the first bonding region 212a.

[0071] like Figure 4 and Figure 6As shown, a first heat insulation pad 230 can be attached to a first main body portion 211, and a second heat insulation pad 240 can be attached to a second main body portion 221. A first recess 214 can be formed in a portion of the first main body portion 211 facing the first heat insulation pad 230, and a second recess 224 can be formed in a portion of the second main body portion 221 facing the second heat insulation pad 240. The first recess 214 and the second recess 224 can be formed at positions facing each other. The other side of the first recess 214 and the other side of the second recess 224 can serve as supports to help support the first frame portion 210 and the second frame portion 220 at a predetermined distance from each other when they are attached together. Furthermore, the first recess 214 and the second recess 224 can increase the heat insulation effect by minimizing the contact area between the first heat insulation pad 230 and the second heat insulation pad 240 and the first main body portion 211 and the second main body portion 221.

[0072] like Figure 1 As shown, the battery pack of an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure may include at least six battery modules. Specifically, the battery pack of an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure may further include: a third battery module 130 and a fourth battery module 140 arranged along a first direction together with the first battery module 110 and the second battery module 120; a fifth battery module 150 located on the first battery module 110; and a sixth battery module 160 located on the third battery module 130. In other words, in the battery pack of an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, the multiple battery modules may be arranged in a two-layer structure. The first battery module 110, the second battery module 120, the third battery module 130, and the fourth battery module 140 may be disposed in the lower layer, and the fifth battery module 150 and the sixth battery module 160 may be disposed in the upper layer.

[0073] Specifically, the first battery module 110, the second battery module 120, the third battery module 130, the fourth battery module 140, and the extrusion beam unit 200 can be disposed in the lower layer, such that one side of the first battery module is in close contact with the third battery module 130, the other side of the first battery module is in close contact with the first heat insulation pad 230, one side of the second battery module is in close contact with the second heat insulation pad 240, and the other side of the second battery module is in close contact with the fourth battery module 140. In other words, inside the housing 300 of the battery pack in the exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, the third battery module 130, the first battery module 110, the extrusion beam unit 200, the second battery module 120, and the fourth battery module 140 can be sequentially disposed in the lower layer along a first direction.

[0074] like Figure 5As shown, the battery pack of an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure may further include an extrusion layer 400 stacked on the upper ends of the first battery module 110 and the third battery module 130, and the fifth battery module 150 and the sixth battery module 160 may be stacked on the upper surface of the extrusion layer 400.

[0075] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the extruded layer 400 may include: a first layer 410 having an upper surface that engages with the lower ends of the fifth battery module 150 and the sixth battery module 160; and a second layer 420 having a lower surface that engages with the upper ends of the first battery module 110 and the third battery module 130, wherein the first layer 410 and the second layer 420 may be joined with the lower surface of the first layer 410 and the upper surface of the second layer 420 spaced apart from each other. The first frame portion 210 may further include a support portion 213 protruding from the upper end of the first body portion 211, and the support portion 213 may be joined with the extruded layer 400. The extruded layer 400 can reduce vibration and heat transfer between layers.

[0076] Figure 7 and Figure 8 It is a graph showing the temperature change of each battery module over time in the event of an explosion in the first battery module 110.

[0077] Figure 7 This is a graph showing the temperature of each battery module over time in a battery pack without the first heat insulation pad 230 and the second heat insulation pad 240. Figure 7 In the diagram, curve M3-1 represents the temperature of the first battery module 110, and curve M2-14 represents the temperature of the second battery module 120. Before approximately 18 minutes, the temperature in the second battery module 120 gradually increased without rapid change; however, after approximately 18 minutes, a rapid temperature change was observed. Figure 7 As can be seen from the curve, the structural features of the extrusion beam unit 200 delay heat transfer.

[0078] Figure 8 This is a graph showing the temperature of each battery module over time in a battery pack having a first heat insulation pad 230 and a second heat insulation pad 240. Figure 8 In the diagram, curve M3 represents the temperature of the first battery module 110, and curve M2 represents the temperature of the second battery module 120. (Reference) Figure 8 When the first heat insulation pad 230 and the second heat insulation pad 240 are installed, the explosion is delayed by more than 22 minutes. In other words, it can be seen that the first heat insulation pad 230 and the second heat insulation pad 240 further maximize the heat transfer delay effect of the extrusion beam unit 200.

[0079] Although exemplary embodiments according to this disclosure have been described above, these are merely exemplary, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalents of these exemplary embodiments are possible. Therefore, the true technical scope of this disclosure should be defined by the appended claims.

[0080] [Description of reference markers]

[0081] 110…First battery module 120…Second battery module

[0082] 130… Third battery module 140… Fourth battery module

[0083] 150… Fifth battery module 160… Sixth battery module

[0084] 200…Extrusion beam element 210…First frame section

[0085] 211…First Main Body Section 212…First Wing Section

[0086] 212a…First bonding area 213…Support section

[0087] 220…Second Frame Section 221…Second Main Body Section

[0088] 222…Second wing 222a…Second bonding area

[0089] 230…First heat insulation pad 231…Mica sheet layer

[0090] 233… Ceramic paper layer 240… Second heat insulation pad

[0091] 300…outer shell 400…extruded layer

[0092] 410…First layer 420…Second layer.

[0093] Industrial applicability

[0094] According to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, battery packs can suppress impact and heat transfer between battery modules by providing crush beams with heat-insulating pads between the battery modules. Therefore, even if a single battery module overheats or explodes, a chain reaction explosion of surrounding battery modules can be prevented or delayed.

[0095] The battery packs of exemplary embodiments of this disclosure are able to operate stably even in environments that continuously generate heat and vibration.

Claims

1. A battery pack, comprising: A first battery module and a second battery module arranged along a first direction; An extrusion beam unit is disposed between the first battery module and the second battery module; as well as A housing configured to house the first battery module, the second battery module, and the extrusion beam unit. The extrusion beam unit includes a first heat insulation pad facing the first battery module and a second heat insulation pad facing the second battery module. The extrusion beam unit further includes: The first frame portion, wherein the first heat insulation pad is attached to one side of the first frame portion; and The second frame portion has one side facing the other side of the first frame portion, and the other side of the second frame portion is attached to the second heat insulation pad. The first frame portion and the second frame portion are joined such that the other side of the first frame portion is spaced apart from the other side of the second frame portion. The first frame portion includes a first main body formed of a planar plate perpendicular to the first direction, the first heat insulation pad is attached to the first main body, and a first recess is formed in a portion of the first main body facing the first heat insulation pad. The second frame portion includes a second main body formed of a planar plate perpendicular to the first direction, the second heat insulation pad is attached to the second main body, and a second recess is formed in a portion of the second main body facing the second heat insulation pad. The first recess and the second recess are formed at positions facing each other.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the first heat insulation pad or the second heat insulation pad comprises a mica sheet layer and a ceramic paper layer.

3. The battery pack according to claim 2, wherein the first heat insulation pad or the second heat insulation pad is formed by laminating the ceramic paper layer between two mica sheet layers.

4. The battery pack according to claim 3, wherein the thickness of the two mica sheets is 0.05 mm to 0.5 mm, and The thickness of the ceramic paper layer is 1 mm to 5 mm.

5. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the first direction is perpendicular to the vertical direction, and the direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the vertical direction is referred to as the second direction. The first framework portion further includes: Formed as a pair of first wings protruding from both ends of the first main body in the second direction, and The pair of first wings are attached to the inner surface of the outer shell.

6. The battery pack of claim 5, wherein the second frame portion further comprises: It is formed as a pair of second wings protruding from both ends of the second main body in the second direction. The end of the first wing is bent in the first direction to form a first bonding area, and The second wing is attached to the first attachment area.

7. The battery pack according to claim 6, further comprising: A third battery module and a fourth battery module are arranged along the first direction together with the first battery module and the second battery module; The fifth battery module located on the first battery module; and The sixth battery module is located on the third battery module. One side of the first battery module is in close contact with the third battery module. The other side of the first battery module is in close contact with the first heat insulation pad. One side of the second battery module is in close contact with the second heat insulation pad, and The other side of the second battery module is in close contact with the fourth battery module.

8. The battery pack according to claim 7, further comprising: The extruded layer stacked on top of the first battery module and the third battery module. The fifth and sixth battery modules are stacked on the upper surface of the extruded layer.

9. The battery pack of claim 8, wherein the extruded layer comprises: The first layer has an upper surface that is coupled to the lower ends of the fifth battery module and the sixth battery module; and The second layer has a lower surface that engages with the upper ends of the first battery module and the third battery module, and The first layer and the second layer are bonded together with the lower surface of the first layer and the upper surface of the second layer spaced apart from each other.

10. The battery pack of claim 8, wherein the first frame portion further includes a support portion projecting from the upper end of the first body portion, and The support portion is combined with the extrusion layer.

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