Battery module and energy storage system

Abstract

Disclosed are a battery module and an energy storage system including the same, the battery module including: a plurality of battery cells, each battery cell including a cell vent opening in a second direction intersecting a first direction; and a module case accommodating the plurality of battery cells therein and having a plurality of module exhaust ports formed therein, each module exhaust port facing one of the plurality of cell exhaust ports. According to an embodiment of the present invention, when an abnormality (such as a fire) occurs inside a battery module, heat emissions are discharged through a module exhaust port formed on a side plate of the battery module, thereby preventing a battery module disposed above the battery module in which the abnormality has occurred from being heated by the heat emissions. Therefore, fire spreading in the energy storage system can be suppressed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a battery module and an energy storage system. Background Art

[0002] Generally speaking, an energy storage system (ESS) is a device capable of storing excess electricity or storing electricity generated using renewable energy. The energy storage system can be constructed by mounting a plurality of battery modules in a rack and holding the plurality of racks in a container.

[0003] In the energy storage system, each battery module includes a plurality of electrically interconnected battery cells, wherein the plurality of battery cells are arranged in a single layer with their respective cell exhaust ports facing upward. Here, the battery module includes a module exhaust port that opens in an upward direction of the battery module to discharge emissions generated by overheating, etc., such as hot gas and burning debris, from the battery module.

[0004] The layers of the racks are arranged with sufficient height differences between them to prevent the fire from spreading to the upper layers due to the hot gases and burning debris discharged through the module exhaust ports. This reduces the spatial integration of battery cells in the energy storage system, resulting in a decrease in the energy density of the energy storage system.

[0005] The above information disclosed in this Background section is provided for enhancement of understanding of the background of the present disclosure and therefore it may contain information that does not constitute related (or prior) art. Summary of the invention

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is to provide a battery module having high energy density and capable of suppressing the spread of fire caused by heat discharge released from the battery module to another battery module disposed above the battery module, and an energy storage system including the battery module.

[0007] These and other aspects and features of the present disclosure will be described in or will be apparent from the following description of some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, a battery module includes: a plurality of battery cells, each battery cell including a cell exhaust port open in a second direction intersecting a first direction; and a module housing in which the plurality of battery cells are accommodated and a plurality of module exhaust ports are formed, each module exhaust port facing one of the plurality of cell exhaust ports.

[0009] The module housing may include: a side plate formed with the plurality of module exhaust ports; and an exhaust port guide to guide exhaust discharged from the module housing through the module exhaust ports.

[0010] The exhaust port guide may include an elbow that redirects exhaust from the module exhaust port to be discharged in a direction that intersects the second direction.

[0011] The module housing may further include: a filter grid, which prevents foreign matter larger than a predetermined size from entering the module housing through the module exhaust port.

[0012] The number of module exhaust ports can be the same as the number of single unit exhaust ports.

[0013] At least some of the plurality of battery cells may be stacked in a first direction within the module housing.

[0014] A size of the battery cell in the first direction may be smaller than a size of the battery cell in the second direction, and smaller than a size of the battery cell in a third direction intersecting the first and second directions.

[0015] The plurality of battery cells may be arranged in pairs in the second direction within the module case, and a cell exhaust port of one of a pair of battery cells arranged in the second direction may face away from a cell exhaust port of the other of the pair of battery cells.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present invention, an energy storage system includes: a plurality of battery modules, each battery module including a plurality of battery cells and a module shell accommodating the plurality of battery cells therein, each battery cell including a cell exhaust port open in a second direction intersecting with a first direction, the module shell being formed with a plurality of module exhaust ports facing the plurality of cell exhaust ports; and a rack supporting the plurality of battery modules.

[0017] The module housing may include: a side plate formed with the plurality of module exhaust ports; and an exhaust port guide to guide exhaust discharged from the module housing through the module exhaust ports.

[0018] The exhaust port guide may include an elbow that redirects exhaust from the module exhaust port to be discharged in a direction that intersects the second direction.

[0019] The module housing may further include: a filter grid, which prevents foreign matter larger than a predetermined size from entering the module housing through the module exhaust port.

[0020] The number of module exhaust ports can be the same as the number of single unit exhaust ports.

[0021] At least some of the plurality of battery cells may be stacked in a first direction within the module housing.

[0022] A size of the battery cell in the first direction may be smaller than a size of the battery cell in the second direction, and smaller than a size of the battery cell in a third direction intersecting the first and second directions.

[0023] The plurality of battery cells may be arranged in pairs in the second direction within the module case, and a cell exhaust port of one of a pair of battery cells arranged in the second direction may face away from a cell exhaust port of the other of the pair of battery cells.

[0024] At least some of the plurality of battery cells may be arranged in a third direction within the module case.

[0025] The battery cell may be a rectangular battery cell including a plurality of cell terminals protruding from a side surface thereof at which the cell vent is formed.

[0026] The frame may include: an exhaust guide extending in the first direction and facing the plurality of module exhaust ports.

[0027] The rack may further include: a rack frame extending in the first direction; and a plurality of module supports fixed to the rack frame and supporting the plurality of battery modules.

[0028] According to an embodiment of the present invention, when an abnormality (such as a fire) occurs inside a battery module, heat exhaust is discharged through a module exhaust port formed on a side plate of the battery module, thereby preventing a battery module disposed above the battery module in which the abnormality has occurred from being heated by the heat exhaust. Therefore, the spread of fire in the energy storage system can be suppressed.

[0029] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of battery cells are arranged in pairs in a battery module so that the exhaust port of one of the battery cells in the pair faces away from the exhaust port of the other of the battery cells in the pair. Therefore, the energy density of the battery module can be improved.

[0030] According to the embodiments of the present invention, the difference between the height of the battery modules installed on each layer of the rack of the energy storage system and the height of each layer of the rack can be reduced, thereby improving the energy density of the energy storage system.

[0031] However, the effects obtainable by the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and those skilled in the art will clearly understand other technical effects not mentioned from the following description of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The accompanying drawings attached to this specification illustrate some embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the detailed description of the present disclosure, further describe aspects and features of the present disclosure. However, the present disclosure should not be interpreted as being limited to the accompanying drawings:

[0033] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an energy storage system according to one embodiment of the present invention, wherein a frame of the energy storage system is shown in an exploded form.

[0034] Figure 2 According to the first embodiment of the present invention Figure 1 A perspective view of the battery modules of the energy storage system.

[0035] Figure 3 is contained in Figure 2 A perspective view of multiple battery cells in a module housing.

[0036] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 A longitudinal cross-sectional view of a battery module taken along IV-IV, wherein the battery module is shown installed Figure 1 in the rack.

[0037] Figure 5 yes Figure 2 An enlarged perspective view of a first variation of portion A.

[0038] Figure 6 yes Figure 2 An enlarged perspective view of a second variation of portion A.

[0039] Figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of a battery module according to a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein the battery module is shown installed in Figure 1 in the rack.

[0040] Figure 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of a battery module according to a third embodiment of the present invention, wherein the battery module is shown installed in Figure 1 in the rack.

[0041] Fig. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of a battery module according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, wherein the battery module is shown installed in Figure 1 in the rack.

[0042] Fig.10 FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a battery module according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] Here, some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The terms or words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted as limited to the usual or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted as meanings and concepts consistent with the technical ideas of the present disclosure, based on the principle that the inventor can be his / her own lexicon compiler to appropriately define the concept of the term.

[0044] The embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are provided as some example embodiments of the present disclosure and do not represent all technical ideas, aspects and features of the present disclosure. Therefore, it will be understood that when submitting this application, there may be various equivalents and modifications that can replace or modify the embodiments described herein.

[0045] It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "connected to," or "coupled to" another element or layer, it may be directly on, directly connected to, or coupled to the other element or layer, or there may be one or more intervening elements or layers. When an element or layer is referred to as being "directly on," "directly connected to," or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers. For example, when a first element is described as being "coupled to" or "connected to" a second element, the first element may be directly coupled or connected to the second element, or the first element may be indirectly coupled or connected to the second element via one or more intervening elements.

[0046] In the accompanying drawings, for clarity of illustration, the sizes of various elements, layers, etc. may be exaggerated. The same reference numerals represent the same or similar elements. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more related listed items. In addition, the use of "may" when describing the embodiments of the present disclosure relates to "one or more embodiments of the present disclosure". Expressions such as "at least one of ..." and "any one of ...", when following a column of elements, modify the entire column of elements without modifying the individual elements of the list. When phrases such as "at least one of A, B, and C", "at least one of A, B, or C", "at least one selected from the group of A, B, and C", or "at least one selected from A, B, and C" are used to specify a list of elements A, B, and C, the phrase may refer to any and all suitable combinations or subsets of A, B, and C, such as A, B, C, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C. As used herein, the terms "use," "use of," and "used" may be considered synonymous with the terms "utilize," "utilize of," and "utilize," respectively. As used herein, the terms "substantially," "about," and similar terms are used as terms of approximation, rather than terms of degree, and are intended to account for the inherent variations in measurements or calculations that one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize.

[0047] It will be understood that although the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or portions, these elements, components, regions, layers and / or portions should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or portion from another element, component, region, layer or portion. Therefore, without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments, the first element, component, region, layer or portion discussed below may be referred to as a second element, component, region, layer or portion.

[0048] For ease of description, spatial relational terms (such as "under", "below", "below", "above", "on", etc.) may be used here to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another (some) elements or features as shown in the drawings. It will be understood that in addition to the orientations drawn in the drawings, the spatial relational terms are intended to cover different orientations of the device in use or operation. For example, if the device in the drawings is turned over, the elements described as being "under" or "below" other elements or features will be oriented as being "above" or "above" other elements or features. Therefore, the term "below" can cover both upper and lower orientations. The device can be oriented otherwise (for example, rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatial relational descriptors used here should be interpreted accordingly.

[0049] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing the embodiments of the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular form "a" is intended to also include the plural form, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that the terms "include", "includes ...", "includes" and / or "includes ...", when used in this specification, indicate the presence of the features, wholes, steps, operations, elements and / or parts, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, wholes, steps, operations, elements, parts and / or their combinations.

[0050] In addition, any numerical range disclosed and / or quoted herein is intended to include all sub-ranges of the same numerical precision contained in the quoted range. For example, the range of "1.0 to 10.0" is intended to include all sub-ranges between the minimum value 1.0 and the maximum value 10.0 (including these two values), that is, the minimum value is equal to or greater than 1.0, and the maximum value is equal to or less than 10.0, such as, for example, 2.4 to 7.6. Any maximum numerical limit listed here is intended to include all lower numerical limits contained therein, and any minimum numerical limit listed in this specification is intended to include all higher numerical limits contained therein. Therefore, the applicant reserves the right to modify this specification (including claims) to clearly record any sub-ranges contained in the range clearly recorded here.

[0051] Referring to two compared elements, features, etc. as "the same" may mean that they are "substantially the same." Thus, the phrase "substantially the same" may include situations with deviations that are considered low in the art, such as 5% or less. In addition, when a parameter is referred to as being uniform in a given area, this may mean that it is uniform with respect to an average value.

[0052] Throughout the specification, unless otherwise specified, each element may be in the singular or in the plural.

[0053] When any element is referred to as being disposed (or located or positioned) “on (or under)” or “upper (or lower)” of a component, this may mean that the arbitrary element is placed in contact with the upper (or lower) surface of the component, and may also mean that another component may be interposed between the component and any element disposed (or located or positioned) on (or under) the component.

[0054] Furthermore, it will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "coupled," "linked," or "connected" to another element, the elements may be directly "coupled," "linked," or "connected" to each other, or there may be one or more intervening elements therebetween through which the element may be "coupled," "linked," or "connected" to another element. Furthermore, when a component is referred to as being "electrically coupled" to another component, the component may be directly electrically connected to the other component, or there may be one or more intervening components therebetween such that the component and the other component are indirectly electrically connected to each other.

[0055] Throughout the specification, unless otherwise specified, when "A and / or B" is stated, it means A, B, or A and B. That is, "and / or" includes any or all combinations of the listed multiple items. Unless otherwise specified, when "C to D" is stated, it means C or greater and D or less.

[0056] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an energy storage system according to one embodiment of the present invention, wherein a frame of the energy storage system is shown in an exploded form, Figure 2 According to the first embodiment of the present invention Figure 1 A perspective view of the battery module of the energy storage system. Figure 3 is contained in Figure 2 A perspective view of multiple battery cells in a module housing, Figure 4 yes Figure 2 A longitudinal cross-sectional view of a battery module taken along IV-IV, wherein the battery module is shown installed Figure 1 in the rack.

[0057] Reference Figures 1 to 4, an energy storage system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a rack 10 and a plurality of battery modules 100A. The rack 10 supports the plurality of battery modules 100A. The rack 10 may include a plurality of rack frames 13, a plurality of module supports 17, a rack base 11, a rack cover 24, and a plurality of discharge guides 20.

[0058] The plurality of rack frames 13 may be spaced apart from each other and may each extend in the first direction. The rack frame 13 may include pillars. For example, four rack frames 13 may be provided.

[0059] A plurality of module supports 17 may be fixed to the rack frames 13, and may each support a corresponding one of the plurality of battery modules 100A. Some of the plurality of module supports 17 may be fixed to a pair of rack frames 13 disposed on one side of the rack 10 in the second direction among the four rack frames 13. Other module supports 17 may be fixed to a pair of rack frames 13 disposed on the other side of the rack 10 in the second direction among the four rack frames 13.

[0060] Each module support member 17 may extend in a third direction. Here, the second direction is a direction orthogonal to the first direction, and the third direction is a direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction. For example, the first direction may be a vertical direction, the second direction may be a lateral direction, and the third direction may be a forward / backward direction.

[0061] A pair of module supports 17 fixed to the plurality of rack frames 13 and disposed opposite to each other in the second direction may be flush with each other. Here, the distance between the pair of module supports 17 may be greater than the size of the battery module 100A in the second direction. The pair of module supports 17 may respectively support opposite ends of the battery module 100A in the second direction.

[0062] A plurality of module support members 17 are arranged at regular intervals in the first direction. Therefore, the rack has a plurality of layers formed in the first direction. The distance between a pair of adjacent module support members 17 in the first direction corresponds to the height of each layer of the rack 10, that is, the interlayer distance of the rack 10. The interlayer distance of the rack 10 may be greater than the size of the battery module 100A in the first direction.

[0063] A pair of module supports 17 corresponding to the uppermost layer of the rack 10 may support a battery control unit (BCU) 30 that controls charging and discharging of a plurality of battery modules 100A installed in the rack 10 .

[0064] The rack base 11 firmly supports the lower ends of the plurality of rack frames 13. The rack cover 24 is supported on the upper ends of the plurality of rack frames 13 and covers the BCU 30 and the plurality of battery modules 100A installed in the rack 10 to protect the BCU 30 and the plurality of battery modules 100A from foreign matter such as dust. The rack cover 24 may be formed with an open outlet 26 to allow exhaust (such as hot gas and combustion debris) from the battery module 100A to be discharged to the outside of the rack 10 without remaining inside the rack 10.

[0065] The exhaust guide 20 may be provided to the rack 10 to face the side plates 150 of the plurality of battery modules 100A disposed on the layers of the rack 10. The exhaust guide 20 may be supported on a pair of adjacent rack frames 13. The exhaust guide 20 may be a plate-shaped member extending in the first direction.

[0066] The discharge guide 20 may include a pair of discharge guides. One of the pair of discharge guides 20 may be supported on a pair of front and rear frame frames 13 disposed on the right side among the four frame frames 13, and the other discharge guide 20 may be supported on a pair of front and rear frame frames 13 disposed on the left side among the four frame frames 13.

[0067] The battery module 100A according to the first embodiment of the present invention can be installed in the frame 10. The battery module 100A includes a plurality of battery cells 101 and a module case 140A. Each battery cell 101 may include a cell case 102, a pair of cell terminals 110, a cell exhaust port 120, and an electrode assembly (not shown).

[0068] The electrode assembly may be accommodated in the cell case 102. The electrode assembly may be formed by winding or stacking a stack of a first electrode plate, a separator, and a second electrode plate, each of which is formed as a thin plate or a film.

[0069] When the electrode assembly is wound and stacked, the winding axis may be parallel to the longitudinal direction of the monomer housing. However, the shape of the electrode assembly is not particularly limited in the present invention, and the electrode assembly may be a stacked electrode assembly rather than a wound electrode assembly. Alternatively, the electrode assembly may be a Z-stacked electrode assembly, in which the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate are inserted into opposite sides of a separator bent into a "Z" shape. In addition, one or more electrode assemblies stacked one on top of another and having their long sides adjacent to each other may be accommodated in a monomer housing. However, the number of electrode assemblies is not particularly limited in the present invention. The first electrode plate of the electrode assembly may be used as a negative electrode, and the second electrode plate of the electrode assembly may be used as a positive electrode. Of course, the reverse is also possible.

[0070] The first electrode plate may be formed by applying a first electrode active material (such as graphite or carbon) to a first electrode current collector plate formed of a metal foil (such as copper, copper alloy, nickel or nickel alloy), and may include a first electrode tab (or a first uncoated portion), which is an area where the first electrode active material is not coated. The first electrode tab may provide a path for the flow of current between the first electrode plate and the first current collector. In some embodiments, the first electrode tab may be formed by pre-cutting the first electrode plate during the manufacture of the first electrode plate, so that a portion of the first electrode plate protrudes from one side of the electrode assembly beyond the separator without additional cutting.

[0071] The second electrode plate may be formed by applying a second electrode active material (such as a transition metal oxide) to a second electrode current collector plate formed of a metal foil (such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy), and may include a second electrode tab (or a second uncoated portion), which is an area where the second electrode active material is not coated. The second electrode tab may provide a path for the flow of current between the second electrode plate and the second current collector. In some embodiments, the second electrode tab may be formed by pre-cutting the second electrode plate during the manufacture of the second electrode plate, so that a portion of the second electrode plate protrudes beyond the separator from the other side of the electrode assembly without additional cutting.

[0072] In some embodiments, the first electrode tab may be disposed on the left side of the electrode assembly, and the second electrode tab may be disposed on the right side of the electrode assembly. Alternatively, the first electrode tab and the second electrode tab may be disposed on the same side of the electrode assembly. Here, the terms "left" and "right" are only for convenience of description, and the positions of the first electrode tab and the second electrode tab may change when the battery cell 101 is rotated horizontally or vertically.

[0073] The first electrode tab of the first electrode plate and the second electrode tab of the second electrode plate are respectively disposed at opposite ends of the electrode assembly. In some embodiments, the electrode assembly may be housed in a single body housing together with the electrolyte. In addition, the electrode assembly includes first and second current collectors that are respectively welded and connected to the first electrode tab of the first electrode plate and the second electrode tab of the second electrode plate exposed on opposite sides of the electrode assembly.

[0074] The cell housing 102 may have a substantially cubic shape and may contain an electrode assembly and an electrolyte therein. The cell housing 102 may include a metal can opened at one side thereof and a cover plate closing the open side of the metal can. The pair of cell terminals 110 may be disposed on the cover plate to protrude outward from the cover plate.

[0075] One of the pair of cell terminals 110 can be electrically connected to one of the first and second current collectors, and the other cell terminal 110 can be electrically connected to the other current collector. Therefore, one of the pair of cell terminals 110 can be used as a positive terminal, and the other terminal 110 can be used as a negative terminal.

[0076] A pair of cell terminals 110 may be provided at opposite ends of the cap plate in a longitudinal direction thereof, and a cell exhaust port 120 may be provided on the cap plate between the pair of cell terminals 110. The cell exhaust port 120 is broken when hot gas and burning debris are generated in the cell housing 102 due to overcharging, abnormal operation, etc., to allow emissions including hot gas, burning debris, etc. to be discharged from the cell housing 102 through the cell exhaust port 120.

[0077] The battery cell 101 may be a rectangular battery cell including a pair of cell terminals 110 protruding from a side surface 105 formed with a cell vent 120. Since the pair of cell terminals 110 protrude from the side surface 105 of the cap plate, as described above, the outer surface of the cap plate will be referred to as a terminal side surface.

[0078] Each battery cell 101 may be disposed inside the module housing 140A so that its single-cell exhaust port 120 is open in the second direction. Multiple battery cells 101 may be stacked in a flat position inside the module housing 140A. Therefore, the size W1 of the battery cell 101 in the first direction may be smaller than the size W2 of the battery cell 101 in the second direction, and smaller than the size W3 of the battery cell 101 in the third direction.

[0079] Reference Figure 3 , the plurality of battery cells 101 are stacked in a first direction, arranged in pairs in a second direction, and arranged in pairs in a third direction within the module housing 140A. That is, the plurality of battery cells 101 may be generally arranged in a block form to form a three-dimensional matrix.

[0080] The cell exhaust port 120 of one of the pair of battery cells 101 arranged in the second direction may face away from the cell exhaust port 120 of the other of the pair of battery cells 101. Therefore, the corresponding surfaces 107 of the pair of battery cells 101 arranged in the second direction, which are opposite to the corresponding terminal side surfaces 105 of the pair of battery cells, may face each other.

[0081] The module housing 140A may have a substantially cubic shape to accommodate a plurality of battery cells 101 therein. The module housing 140A may include a bottom plate 141, a top plate 143, a front plate 146, a rear plate (not shown), and a pair of side plates 150. The top plate 143 may be disposed above the bottom plate 141 in a first direction. In the case where the battery module 100A is mounted in the rack 10, the bottom plate 141 may be supported at both lateral ends thereof on a pair of module supports 17.

[0082] The rear plate may be disposed behind the front plate 146 in the third direction. The pair of side plates 150 may be spaced apart from each other in the second direction. The bottom plate 141, the top plate 143, the front plate 146, the rear plate (not shown), and the pair of side plates 150 may be manufactured separately from the corresponding adjacent plates to be assembled therewith, or may be manufactured integrally with the corresponding adjacent plates.

[0083] The battery module 100A may further include a plurality of module terminals 190, a plurality of inter-cell bus bars 130, and a plurality of cell-to-module bus bars 135. The plurality of module terminals 190 may be provided on the front plate 146 to penetrate the front plate 146 in a thickness direction thereof.

[0084] The inter-cell bus bar 130 may electrically connect one cell terminal 110 of one of a pair of adjacent battery cells 101 within the module housing 140A to one cell terminal of the other of the pair of adjacent battery cells 101. The cell-to-module bus bar 135 may electrically connect one cell terminal 110 of one of the plurality of battery cells 101 to one of the plurality of module terminals 190.

[0085] The cell-to-module bus bar 135 may have one side joined to one cell terminal 110 and the other side joined to the inner surface of one module terminal 190, the inner surface of the module terminal 190 being exposed inside the module housing 140A through the inner surface of the front plate 146. The cell-to-module bus bar 135 may be bent into an "L" shape inside the module housing 140A.

[0086] One of the module terminals 190 of one battery module 100A may be electrically connected to one of the module terminals 190 of another battery module 100A adjacent to the one battery module 100A in the first direction via an inter-module bus bar (not shown). Alternatively, one of the plurality of module terminals 190 of one battery module 100A may be electrically connected to one of the plurality of module terminals (not shown) of the BCU 30 via an inter-module bus bar (not shown).

[0087] Despite Figure 3The plurality of battery cells 101 are shown to form a three-dimensional matrix, in which six battery cells are arranged in a first direction, two battery cells are arranged in a second direction, and two battery cells are arranged in a third direction, but this is merely illustrative, and the number of battery cells 101 arranged in the first direction and the number of battery cells 101 arranged in the third direction may be different. Figure 3 shown.

[0088] The module housing 140A is formed with a plurality of module exhaust ports 152, each module exhaust port 152 facing one of a plurality of cell exhaust ports 120 corresponding in number to the battery cells 101. The number of module exhaust ports 152 may be the same as the number of cell exhaust ports 120. The plurality of module exhaust ports 152 may be formed on a pair of side plates 150 of the module housing 140A. Each module exhaust port 152 may be a through hole formed through the side plate 150 in the thickness direction of the side plate 150.

[0089] As from Figure 4 It can be seen that if an abnormality such as overheating or fire occurs in one of the plurality of battery cells 101 within the module housing 140A, thermal exhaust (such as hot gas or burning debris) is discharged from the cell exhaust port 120 of the corresponding battery cell 101. Figure 4 In the figure, the emission routes of the emissions are indicated by dot-dash arrows.

[0090] The heat exhaust discharged from the cell exhaust port 120 may be discharged to the outside of the module housing 140A through the module exhaust port 152 facing the cell exhaust port 120 without being diffused inside the module housing 140A.

[0091] The hot exhaust discharged from the side plate 150 of the module housing 140A in the second direction may be guided by the exhaust guide 20 facing the side plate 150 to move in the longitudinal direction of the exhaust guide 20. Since the density of the hot exhaust is less than that of the air at room temperature, the hot exhaust may move upward along the exhaust guide 20. The hot exhaust that has moved upward may be discharged to the outside of the rack 10 through the outlet 26 of the rack cover 24.

[0092] Since the hot exhaust is discharged from the side plate 150 of the module case 140A and moves upward along the exhaust guide 20 provided on the right or left side of the module support 17, another battery module 100A provided in the rack 10 above the battery module 100A in which the abnormality has occurred is prevented from being heated by the hot exhaust. Therefore, the spread of fire in the energy storage system can be suppressed.

[0093] Figure 5 yes Figure 2 An enlarged perspective view of a first variant of part A, Figure 6 yes Figure 2An enlarged perspective view of a second variation of portion A. Figures 3 to 5 The module housing 140A may further include a filter grid 180 according to the first modification, wherein the filter grid 180 is disposed on the side plate 150 to overlap with the module exhaust port 152 .

[0094] The filter grid 180 may include a plurality of third directional lines extending in the third direction and spaced apart from each other in the first direction. Both longitudinal ends of the third directional lines may be joined to the side plate 150 by welding, etc. A pair of adjacent third directional lines may be arranged with a predetermined vertical gap GV therebetween.

[0095] Among the hot exhaust discharged from the module exhaust port 152 of the battery module 100A, some exhaust such as combustion debris may be denser than air at room temperature. Therefore, upon encountering the exhaust guide 20, such exhaust may rebound from the exhaust guide 20 to be guided toward another module exhaust port 152 of the battery module 100A or a module exhaust port 152 of another battery module 100A other than the battery module 100A in which the abnormality has occurred.

[0096] The filter grid 180 prevents hot exhaust having a size larger than the vertical gap GV from entering the module housing 140A through the module exhaust port 152. In this way, hot exhaust generated in one battery cell 101 can be prevented from propagating to another battery cell 101 or another battery module 100A and causing fire to spread.

[0097] Reference Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 6 , the module housing 140A may further include a filter grid 183 according to a second modification, wherein the filter grid 183 is disposed on the side plate 150 to overlap the module exhaust port 152. The filter grid 183 may include a plurality of third direction lines extending in the third direction and spaced apart from each other in the first direction and a plurality of first direction lines extending in the first direction to be orthogonal to the third direction lines and spaced apart from each other in the third direction.

[0098] Both longitudinal ends of the third direction line and both longitudinal ends of the first direction line may be joined to the side plate 150 by welding, etc. A pair of adjacent third direction lines may be arranged with a predetermined vertical gap GV therebetween, and a pair of adjacent first direction lines may be arranged with a predetermined horizontal gap GP therebetween.

[0099] The filter grid 183 prevents hot exhaust having a size larger than the vertical gap GV and / or the horizontal gap GP from entering the module housing 140A through the module exhaust port 152. In this way, hot exhaust generated in one battery cell 101 can be prevented from propagating to another battery cell 101 or another battery module 100A and causing a fire to spread. Figure 5 Compared with the filter grid 180, Figure 6 The filter grid 183 can further reduce the possibility of hot exhaust entering the module housing 140A through the module exhaust port 152.

[0100] Figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of a battery module according to a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein the battery module is shown installed in Figure 1 Refer to Figure 7 Similar to the battery module 100A according to the first embodiment, the battery module 100B according to the second embodiment may further include a plurality of battery cells 101, a module housing 140B accommodating the plurality of battery cells 101 therein, and a plurality of module terminals 190 (see Figure 2 ), multiple inter-cell bus bars 130 and multiple cell-to-module bus bars 135 (see Figure 3 ).

[0101] Since the plurality of battery cells 101 , the plurality of module terminals 190 , the plurality of inter-cell bus bars 130 , and the plurality of cell-to-module bus bars 135 included in the battery module 100B according to the second embodiment are the same as those of the battery module 100A according to the first embodiment, repeated description thereof will be omitted.

[0102] The module housing 140B includes a bottom plate 141, a top plate 143, and a front plate 146 (see Figure 2 ), a rear plate (not shown), a pair of side plates 150, and an exhaust port guide 155. Since the bottom plate 141, the top plate 143, the front plate 146, the rear plate, and the pair of side plates 150 are the same as those of the module case 140A of the battery module 100A according to the first embodiment, repeated description thereof will be omitted.

[0103] The exhaust port guide 155 guides exhaust discharged from the module housing 140B through the module exhaust port 152 of the module housing 140B. The exhaust port guide 155 may be provided in a number equal to the number of the module exhaust ports 152 to be associated with the module exhaust ports 152 one-to-one.

[0104] The vent guide 155 may include a tube extending straightly in the second direction from the side plate 150. The distal end of the vent guide 155 may be chamfered, like the tip of a syringe needle. Therefore, the opening 158 at the distal end of the vent guide 155 is inclined to open upward.

[0105] Utilizing this structure, the opening 158 at the tip of the exhaust port guide 155 can have a larger cross-sectional area than the module exhaust port 152, thereby enabling smooth discharge of emissions from the module housing 140B, and substances in the emissions having a greater specific gravity than the gas can be guided closer to the emission guide 20 than the gas.

[0106] Figure 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of a battery module according to a third embodiment of the present invention, wherein the battery module is shown installed in Figure 1 Refer to Figure 8 Similar to the battery module 100A according to the first embodiment, the battery module 100C according to the third embodiment may further include a plurality of battery cells 101, a module housing 140C accommodating the plurality of battery cells 101 therein, and a plurality of module terminals 190 (see Figure 2 ), multiple inter-cell bus bars 130 and multiple cell-to-module bus bars 135 (see Figure 3 ).

[0107] Since the plurality of battery cells 101 , the plurality of module terminals 190 , the plurality of inter-cell bus bars 130 , and the plurality of cell-to-module bus bars 135 included in the battery module 100C according to the third embodiment are the same as those of the battery module 100A according to the first embodiment, repeated description thereof will be omitted.

[0108] The module housing 140C includes a bottom plate 141, a top plate 143, and a front plate 146 (see Figure 2 ), a rear plate (not shown), a pair of side plates 150, and an exhaust port guide 165. Since the bottom plate 141, the top plate 143, the front plate 146, the rear plate, and the pair of side plates 150 are the same as those of the module case 140A of the battery module 100A according to the first embodiment, repeated description thereof will be omitted.

[0109] The exhaust port guide 165 guides exhaust discharged from the module housing 140C through the module exhaust port 152 of the module housing 140C. The exhaust port guide 155 may be provided in a number equal to the number of the module exhaust ports 152 to be associated with the module exhaust ports 152 one-to-one.

[0110] The exhaust port guide 165 may include a channel that redirects the exhaust from the module exhaust port 152 to be discharged in an upward direction parallel to the first direction. The channel may be a quarter spherical member protruding from the lower portion of the module exhaust port 152 of the side plate 150. The opening 168 at the distal end of the exhaust port guide 165 may have a semicircular shape in a plan view and may be open upward.

[0111] exist Figure 8, the discharge route of the exhaust is indicated by a dot-dash arrow. The exhaust discharged from the module exhaust port 152 (which is redirected along the corresponding exhaust port guide 165 and has been discharged upward through the opening 168 at the tip of the corresponding exhaust port guide 165) can be guided to the exhaust guide 20 while bypassing another exhaust port guide 165 provided above the corresponding exhaust port guide 165, and can move upward along the exhaust guide 20.

[0112] Since the opening 168 at the distal end of the exhaust port guide 165 is opened upward, exhaust having a high specific gravity is highly unlikely to bounce off the exhaust guide 20 and enter the module housing 140C through the opening 168 at the distal end of the exhaust port guide 165 and the module exhaust port 152. Therefore, it is possible to prevent hot exhaust generated in one battery cell 101 from propagating to another battery cell 101 or another battery module 100C and causing a fire to spread.

[0113] Fig. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of a battery module according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, wherein the battery module is shown installed in Figure 1 Refer to Fig. 9 Similar to the battery module 100A according to the first embodiment, the battery module 100D according to the fourth embodiment may further include a plurality of battery cells 101, a module housing 140D accommodating the plurality of battery cells 101 therein, and a plurality of module terminals 190 (see Figure 2 ), multiple inter-cell bus bars 130 and multiple cell-to-module bus bars 135 (see Figure 3 ).

[0114] Since the plurality of battery cells 101 , the plurality of module terminals 190 , the plurality of inter-cell bus bars 130 , and the plurality of cell-to-module bus bars 135 included in the battery module 100D according to the fourth embodiment are the same as those of the battery module 100A according to the first embodiment, a repeated description thereof will be omitted.

[0115] The module housing 140D includes a bottom plate 141, a top plate 143, and a front plate 146 (see Figure 2 ), a rear plate (not shown), a pair of side plates 150, and an exhaust port guide 175. Since the bottom plate 141, the top plate 143, the front plate 146, the rear plate, and the pair of side plates 150 are the same as those of the module case 140A of the battery module 100A according to the first embodiment, repeated description thereof will be omitted.

[0116] The exhaust port guide 175 guides exhaust discharged from the module housing 140D through the module exhaust port 152 of the module housing 140D. The exhaust port guide 175 may be provided in a number equal to the number of the module exhaust ports 152 to be associated with the module exhaust ports 152 one-to-one.

[0117] The exhaust guide 175 may include an elbow that redirects exhaust from the module exhaust 152 to exhaust in a direction that intersects the second direction. The elbow directs exhaust from the module exhaust 152 in an upward direction parallel to the first direction. The elbow may have a shape similar to an elbow fitting.

[0118] The opening 178 at the distal end of the exhaust port guide 175 may have the same shape in a plan view as the module exhaust port 152. The opening 178 at the distal end of the exhaust port guide 175 may open in the first direction.

[0119] exist Fig. 9 , the discharge route of the exhaust is indicated by a dot-dash arrow. The exhaust discharged from the module exhaust port 152, redirected along the corresponding exhaust port guide 175, and discharged upward through the opening 178 at the distal end of the corresponding exhaust port guide 175 can be guided to the exhaust guide 20 while bypassing another exhaust port guide 175 provided above the corresponding exhaust port guide 175, and can move upward along the exhaust guide 20.

[0120] Since the opening 178 at the distal end of the exhaust port guide 175 is opened upward, it is highly unlikely that exhaust having a high specific gravity will rebound from the exhaust port guide 20 and enter the module housing 140D through the opening 178 at the distal end of the exhaust port guide 175 and the module exhaust port 152. Therefore, it is possible to prevent hot exhaust generated in one battery cell 101 from propagating to another battery cell 101 or another battery module 100D and causing a fire to spread.

[0121] Fig.10 FIG. 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a battery module according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. Fig.10 Similar to the battery module 100A according to the first embodiment, the battery module 200 according to the fifth embodiment may further include a plurality of battery cells 101, a module housing 210 accommodating the plurality of battery cells 101 therein, a plurality of module terminals 190 (see Figure 2 ), multiple inter-cell bus bars 130 and multiple cell-to-module bus bars 135 (see Figure 3 ).

[0122] Since the plurality of battery cells 101 , the plurality of module terminals 190 , the plurality of inter-cell bus bars 130 , and the plurality of cell-to-module bus bars 135 included in the battery module 200 according to the fifth embodiment are the same as those of the battery module 100A according to the first embodiment, their repeated description will be omitted.

[0123] However, in this embodiment, the plurality of battery cells 101 of the battery module 200 form a three-dimensional matrix, wherein the plurality of battery cells 101 are stacked in a first direction, the plurality of battery cells 101 are arranged in a third direction, and one battery cell 101 is disposed in a second direction.

[0124] Each battery cell 101 may be disposed inside the module case 210 such that its cell exhaust port 120 is open in the second direction. The battery cells 101 may be stacked in a lying position inside the module case 210 .

[0125] The module housing 210 may have a substantially cubic shape to accommodate a plurality of battery cells 101 therein. The module housing 210 may include a bottom plate 211, a top plate 213, a front plate (not shown), a rear plate (not shown), a first side plate 220, and a second side plate 240. The top plate 213 may be disposed above the bottom plate 211 in a first direction.

[0126] The rear plate may be disposed behind the front plate in the third direction. The first side plate 220 and the second side plate 240 may be spaced apart from each other in the second direction. The first side plate 220 is formed with a plurality of module exhaust ports 225, each module exhaust port 225 facing one of a plurality of monomer exhaust ports 120 corresponding in number to a plurality of battery cells 101. The module exhaust port 225 may be a through hole formed through the side plate 220 in the thickness direction of the side plate 220. The number of module exhaust ports 225 may be the same as the number of monomer exhaust ports 120.

[0127] The first side plate 220 may face the terminal side surface 105 of the battery cell 101. The second side plate 240 may face the side surface 107 of the battery cell 101 opposite to the terminal side surface 105. The second side plate 240 may not have the module exhaust port 225. The module housing 210 may further include an exhaust port guide 230 that guides exhaust discharged from the module housing 210 through the module exhaust port 225.

[0128] The exhaust port guides 230 may be provided in a number equal to the number of the module exhaust ports 225 to be associated one-to-one with the module exhaust ports 225. The exhaust port guides 230 may include a tube extending straightly from the first side plate 220 in the second direction. An opening 233 at a distal end of the exhaust port guide 230 may be directed toward the exhaust guide 20 (see Figure 1 )Open.

[0129] The hot exhaust discharged from the single body exhaust port 120 can be discharged to the outside of the module shell 210 through the module exhaust port 225 facing the single body exhaust port 120 and the opening 233 at the far end of the exhaust port guide 230 without diffusing inside the module shell 210, and can move in an upward direction parallel to the first direction along the exhaust guide 20.

[0130] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments and the accompanying drawings showing aspects thereof, the present invention is not limited thereto. Various modifications and changes can be made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention.

Claims

1. A battery module, comprising: a plurality of battery cells, each battery cell including a cell exhaust port open in a second direction intersecting the first direction; as well as A module housing accommodates the plurality of battery cells therein and is formed with a plurality of module exhaust ports, each module exhaust port facing one of the plurality of cell exhaust ports.

2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the module housing comprises: A side plate formed with the plurality of module exhaust ports; as well as An exhaust port guide guides exhaust discharged from the module housing through the module exhaust port. 3 . The battery module according to claim 2 , wherein the vent guide comprises an elbow that redirects the exhaust from the module vent to be discharged in a direction intersecting the second direction.

4. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the module housing further comprises: The filter grid prevents foreign matter larger than a predetermined size from entering the module housing through the module exhaust port. 5 . The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the number of the module exhaust ports is the same as the number of the cell exhaust ports. 6 . The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein at least some of the plurality of battery cells are stacked in the first direction within the module housing. 7 . The battery module according to claim 6 , wherein a size of the battery cell in the first direction is smaller than a size of the battery cell in the second direction and smaller than a size of the battery cell in a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction.

8. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of battery cells are arranged in pairs in the second direction within the module housing, and the cell exhaust port of one of a pair of battery cells arranged in the second direction faces away from the cell exhaust port of the other of the pair of battery cells.

9. An energy storage system comprising: A plurality of battery modules, each battery module comprising a plurality of battery cells and a module housing accommodating the plurality of battery cells therein, each of the battery cells comprising a cell exhaust port open in a second direction intersecting the first direction, the module housing being formed with a plurality of module exhaust ports facing the plurality of cell exhaust ports; as well as A frame supports the multiple battery modules.

10. The energy storage system according to claim 9, wherein the module housing comprises: A side plate formed with the plurality of module exhaust ports; as well as An exhaust port guide guides exhaust discharged from the module housing through the module exhaust port. 11 . The energy storage system of claim 10 , wherein the exhaust port guide comprises an elbow that redirects the exhaust from the module exhaust port to be discharged in a direction intersecting the second direction. 12 . The energy storage system according to claim 9 , wherein the module housing further comprises a filter grid, wherein the filter grid prevents foreign matter larger than a predetermined size from entering the module housing through the module exhaust port. 13 . The energy storage system according to claim 9 , wherein the number of the module exhaust ports is the same as the number of the single unit exhaust ports. 14 . The energy storage system of claim 9 , wherein at least some of the plurality of battery cells are stacked in the first direction within the module housing. 15 . The energy storage system according to claim 14 , wherein a size of the battery cell in the first direction is smaller than a size of the battery cell in the second direction, and smaller than a size of the battery cell in a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction.

16. The energy storage system according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of battery cells are arranged in pairs in the module housing in the second direction, and the cell exhaust port of one of a pair of battery cells arranged in the second direction faces away from the cell exhaust port of the other of the pair of battery cells. 17 . The energy storage system of claim 9 , wherein at least some of the plurality of battery cells are arranged within the module housing in a third direction that intersects the first direction and the second direction. 18 . The energy storage system according to claim 9 , wherein the battery cell is a rectangular battery cell including a plurality of cell terminals protruding from a side surface thereof at which the cell exhaust port is formed. 19 . The energy storage system according to claim 9 , wherein the frame comprises an exhaust guide extending in the first direction and facing the plurality of module exhaust ports.

20. The energy storage system according to claim 9, wherein the rack further comprises: a rack frame extending in the first direction; as well as A plurality of module supports are fixed to the rack frame and support the plurality of battery modules.

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