Battery pack and vehicle including the same

Abstract

The battery pack of the present invention may include: a battery module; and a pack case accommodating the battery module, in which the pack case may include: a lower case in which the battery module is accommodated; an upper case coupled to cover the upper opening of the lower case; a gasket disposed on an interface between the lower housing and the upper housing; and an insulating member disposed between the battery module and the gasket.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0129123, filed on October 7, 2022, and all contents disclosed in the document of the Korean Patent Application are incorporated as a part of this specification. Technical Field

[0004] The present invention relates to a battery pack capable of preventing a gasket from being damaged by flame and gas generated during thermal runaway, and to a vehicle including the battery pack. Background Art

[0005] Generally, a secondary battery is a battery that is rechargeable and dischargeable, unlike a primary battery that is non-rechargeable. Secondary batteries are widely used in mobile phones, notebook computers and video cameras, electric vehicles, and the like.

[0006] In addition, secondary batteries are classified according to their structure. For example, secondary batteries can be divided into cylindrical secondary batteries and pouch secondary batteries. Cylindrical secondary batteries are manufactured by winding a long sheet-shaped electrode unit several times in the form of a bulk jelly roll with a separator therebetween to manufacture an electrode assembly, and then accommodating the manufactured electrode assembly in a cylindrical can, etc. Pouch-type secondary batteries are manufactured by stacking and folding electrode units (each electrode unit is set to a unit of a predetermined size) with a separator therebetween to manufacture an electrode assembly, and then accommodating the manufactured electrode assembly in a bag.

[0007] Secondary batteries have attracted considerable attention as a power source for electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), which have been developed to address restrictions such as air pollution caused by existing gasoline and diesel vehicles using fossil fuels. In other words, secondary batteries are used in the form of a battery pack including a plurality of battery modules.

[0008] For example, a battery pack includes a battery module in which a plurality of secondary batteries are connected in series or in parallel and a battery pack housing accommodating the battery module. The battery pack housing includes a battery pack housing accommodating the battery module, a battery pack cover coupled to an opening of the battery pack housing, and a gasket sealing a gap between the battery pack housing and the battery pack cover.

[0009] However, the battery pack according to the prior art has a problem that the gasket is damaged due to direct exposure to flames and gases generated during thermal runaway, and in particular, there is a problem that flames and gases are ejected to the outside between the battery pack case and the battery pack cover due to damage to the gasket, thereby causing an accident. Summary of the invention

[0010] Technical issues

[0011] An object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack and a vehicle including the battery pack, the battery pack being characterized in that it includes a protective member that prevents a gasket from being directly exposed to flames and gases generated during thermal runaway, and due to this feature, damage to the gasket is prevented, and injection of flames and gases between a battery pack case and a battery pack cover is prevented to prevent accidents.

[0012] Technical Solution

[0013] According to the present invention, a battery pack includes a battery module and a battery pack case configured to accommodate the battery module, wherein the battery pack case may include a lower shell in which the battery module is accommodated, an upper shell connected to cover the upper opening of the lower shell, a gasket arranged on an interface between the lower shell and the upper shell, and an insulating member arranged between the battery module and the gasket.

[0014] The insulating member may be disposed between an end portion of the battery module disposed in a full length direction of the battery module and the gasket.

[0015] The insulating member may be configured as a gasket surrounding an end portion toward the battery module.

[0016] An area of ​​the insulating member may be greater than an area of ​​an end portion of the battery module.

[0017] One side of the insulating member may be attached and fixed to the inner wall of the lower case.

[0018] The other side of the insulating member may be attached and fixed to an upper end of the battery module.

[0019] The insulating member may be made of flexible insulating paper.

[0020] Insulating paper can be made of mica.

[0021] An elastic member configured to maintain the outer appearance of the insulating member may be attached to a surface of the insulating member facing the gasket.

[0022] The elastic member may have heat resistance and be attached to the entire surface of the insulating member.

[0023] One end of the insulating member may extend to a bottom surface of the lower case.

[0024] The insulating layer may be applied to the end of the gasket that is disposed inside the battery housing.

[0025] The insulating layer may be made of the same material as the insulating member.

[0026] The vehicle according to the present invention may include the above-mentioned battery pack.

[0027] Beneficial effects

[0028] The battery pack according to the present invention may be characterized in that an insulating member is provided between the battery module and the gasket. Due to this feature, it is possible to prevent the flame and gas generated during thermal runaway from being directly exposed to the gasket to prevent the gasket from being damaged, thereby preventing accidents such as the injection of flame and gas between the battery pack case and the battery pack cover.

[0029] In addition, the battery pack according to the present invention may be characterized in that the insulating member is provided between the end of the battery module provided along the full length direction of the battery module and the gasket. Due to this feature, the gasket can be stably protected from the flame and gas generated during thermal runaway.

[0030] In addition, the battery pack according to the present invention may be characterized in that the insulating member surrounds the gasket toward the end of the battery module. Due to this feature, the gasket can be stably protected from the flame and gas generated during thermal runaway.

[0031] In addition, the battery pack according to the present invention may be characterized in that one side of the insulating member is attached and fixed to the inner wall of the lower case, and the other side is attached and fixed to the upper end of the battery module. Due to this feature, the fixing force of the insulating member provided in the battery pack case can be increased, and the insulating member can be prevented from being deformed due to folding.

[0032] The battery pack of the present invention may be characterized in that the elastic member is attached to the surface of the insulating member. Due to this feature, the appearance of the insulating member can be maintained.

[0033] The battery pack according to the present invention may be characterized in that one end of the insulating member extends to the bottom surface of the lower case. Due to this feature, flames and gases generated during thermal runaway can be prevented from being introduced between one end of the insulating member and the bottom surface of the lower case to prevent the gasket from being damaged. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a battery pack according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Side view of.

[0036] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Floor plan.

[0037] Figure 4 It is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line AA.

[0038] Figure 5 It is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line BB.

[0039] Figure 6 yes Figure 4 An enlarged view of portion C is shown.

[0040] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 An enlarged view of portion D is shown.

[0041] Figure 8 yes Figure 6 An enlarged view of portion E is shown.

[0042] Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a battery pack according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Fig.10 is a cross-sectional view of a battery pack according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Fig.11 is a schematic side view of a vehicle according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in a manner that allows the technical concept of the present invention to be easily performed by a person skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs. However, the present invention can be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. In the accompanying drawings, for the sake of clarity, unnecessary contents for describing the present invention will be omitted, and the same reference numerals in the accompanying drawings represent the same elements.

[0046] [Battery Pack According to First Embodiment of the Invention]

[0047] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a battery pack according to a first embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Side view of Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Floor plan, Figure 4 It is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line AA of Figure 5 It is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line BB of Figure 6 yes Figure 4An enlarged view of portion C is shown, Figure 7 yes Figure 6 An enlarged view of portion D is shown, and Figure 8 yes Figure 6 An enlarged view of portion E is shown.

[0048] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, the battery pack 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a battery module 10 and a battery pack case 20 accommodating the battery module 10 .

[0049] Battery Module

[0050] The battery module 10 has a structure in which a plurality of battery cells are connected in series and / or in parallel. Here, each of the battery cells includes an electrode assembly and a housing in which the electrode assembly is accommodated, and the electrode assembly has a structure in which electrodes and separators are alternately arranged. The electrodes may be positive and negative electrodes.

[0051] The battery module 10 may also include sensing components and electrical components.

[0052] The sensing component is used to send sensing information about electrical characteristics (such as the voltage of the battery cell) to a device such as a BMS. The BMS can control the battery cell based on the voltage information sent from the sensing component. In addition, the sensing component can be mounted on the frame so as to be electrically connected to the electrode lead of the battery cell.

[0053] The electrical components may include at least one or more of a BMS, a current sensor, a relay, and a fuse. BMS (Battery Management System) refers to a device for managing secondary batteries, which generally controls the charging and discharging operations of battery cells. The upper end of the insulating member to be described later can be attached to the upper end of each electrical component to fix the upper end of the insulating member. The current sensor is a component that senses the charging / discharging current of the battery cell, and the relay is a switching component that selectively opens and closes the charging / discharging path through which the charging / discharging current of the battery cell flows. The fuse is a component that blocks the flow of the charging / discharging current when an abnormality occurs in the battery cell.

[0054] Battery pack housing

[0055] The pack case 20 has a structure to accommodate one or more battery modules 10, preferably two or more battery modules 10. Here, the pack case 20 serves as an exterior material of the battery pack and protects the battery modules 10 from external impact.

[0056] That is, the pack case 20 includes a lower case 21 , an upper case 22 , and a gasket 23 .

[0057] The lower case 21 is configured to accommodate the battery module 10. That is, the upper case 22 has a structure in which an upper accommodation space is opened, and the battery module 10 is accommodated in the accommodation space.

[0058] The upper case 22 is coupled to cover the upper opening of the lower case 21, thereby closing the upper opening of the lower case 21. Here, the upper case 22 and the lower case 21 may be coupled to each other by a coupling means such as a bolt and a nut.

[0059] The gasket 23 is disposed on the interface between the lower shell 21 and the upper shell 22 to seal the gap between the lower shell 21 and the upper shell 22. Specifically, the material of the gasket 23 can be one or more selected from the group consisting of synthetic rubber, natural rubber, silicone, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

[0060] When high-temperature heat is generated in the battery pack 1 during charging and discharging, it may be difficult to effectively cool down the temperature of the entire battery cell.

[0061] Specifically, if the heat generated by the battery module 10 during the charging and discharging process cannot be effectively removed from the battery pack 1, thermal runaway may occur, and thus the gasket 23 may be directly exposed to the flame and gas generated during the thermal runaway and may be damaged, and therefore, the flame and gas may be sprayed into a portion of the battery pack case 20 where the gasket 23 is damaged, thereby causing an accident.

[0062] The battery pack 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention has a structure capable of preventing the gasket 23 from being damaged by flames and gases generated during thermal runaway.

[0063] That is, the battery pack 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes the insulating member 24 disposed between the battery module 10 and the gasket 23. That is, the insulating member 24 can prevent the gasket 23 from being directly exposed to flames and gases during thermal runaway of the battery module 10 to prevent the gasket 23 from being damaged, thereby preventing accidents from occurring and ensuring safety.

[0064] Specifically, Figure 6 As shown, the insulating member 24 may be disposed at an end portion of the battery module 10 disposed along the entire length direction of the battery module 10 (when Figure 5 When viewed in FIG. 1 , each of the upper and lower portions of the battery module 10 and the gasket 23. In more detail, the insulating member 24 may be disposed between the electrode leads of the battery cells provided in the battery module 10 and the gasket 23.

[0065] In the battery cell, the sealing force of the sealing portion of the bag from which the electrode lead is drawn is smaller than the sealing force of the remaining sealing portion, and therefore, when overcharged, there is a high possibility that flame and gas are first ejected from the sealing portion of the bag on which the electrode lead is disposed. Therefore, the insulating member 24 may be disposed between the end of the battery module 10 on which the electrode lead is disposed and the gasket 23 to effectively block the flame and gas during thermal runaway of the battery module 10, thereby significantly preventing the gasket 23 from being damaged.

[0066] The insulating member 24 surrounds the gasket 23 toward the end of the battery module 10. That is, the insulating member 24 surrounds only the portion of the gasket 23 toward the end of the battery module 10 among the entire gasket 23. Therefore, the insulating member 24 may be provided in a shape surrounding the gasket 23 to stably protect the gasket 23 from flames and gases generated during thermal runaway.

[0067] The area of ​​the insulating member is larger than that of the end of the battery module 10. Therefore, flame and gas may be effectively blocked during thermal runaway of the battery module 10, and thus the gasket 23 may be stably protected.

[0068] like Figure 7 As shown, one side of the insulating member 24 (when Figure 7 21, the lower portion of the insulating member 24 may be attached and fixed to the inner wall of the lower shell 21. Specifically, one side of the insulating member 24 may be attached to the inner wall of the lower shell 21 using an adhesive 25. Therefore, a movement phenomenon of one side of the insulating member 24 may be prevented. Specifically, the lower portion of the insulating member 24 may be in close contact with the inner wall of the lower shell 21, and thus flames and gases may be prevented from being introduced between the lower portion of the insulating member 24 and the inner wall of the lower shell 21.

[0069] The other side of the insulating member 24 (when Figure 8 When viewed in FIG. 1 , the upper portion of the insulating member 24 may be attached and fixed to the upper end of the battery module 10. Specifically, the other side of the insulating member 24 may be attached to the upper end of the battery module 10 using an adhesive 25. Thus, the insulating member 24 may be maintained in an unfolded state. Here, the entire other side of the insulating member 24 may be attached to the upper end of the battery module 10, and thus the edge of the other end of the insulating member 24 may be prevented from being folded.

[0070] The insulating member 24 may be made of flexible insulating paper. Therefore, the insulating member 24 may be modified and disposed to match the internal space of the battery pack case 20, and thus, the ease of use and installation may be improved.

[0071] The insulating paper is made of mica. Here, mica has good thermal conductivity, excellent electrical insulation and machinability. In addition, the insulating member 24 can be made of a non-conductive or non-thermal conductive material. For example, the insulating member 24 can be an electrical insulator or a thermal insulator.

[0072] One end of the insulating member 24 (when Figure 7 When viewed in FIG. 1 , the lower end of the insulating member 24 extends to be in close contact with the bottom surface of the lower case 21. Therefore, when the battery module 10 thermally runs away, flames and gases can be prevented from being discharged between the lower end of the insulating member 24 and the lower case 21.

[0073] Therefore, in the battery pack 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the insulating member 24 can be arranged between the battery module 10 and the gasket 23 to prevent the gasket 23 from being directly exposed to the flame and gas generated during thermal runaway of the battery module 10, thereby preventing the gasket 23 from being damaged, and thus, safety can be improved by preventing accidents from occurring.

[0074] Hereinafter, in description of another embodiment of the present invention, components having the same functions as those of the above-described embodiment are given the same reference numerals in the drawings, and thus repeated description will be omitted.

[0075] [Battery Pack According to Second Embodiment of the Invention]

[0076] Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a battery pack according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0077] like Fig. 9 As shown, the battery pack 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a battery module 10 and a pack case 20. The pack case 20 includes a lower case 21, an upper case 22, a gasket 23, and an insulating member 24.

[0078] Here, the elastic member 26 is attached to the surface of the insulating member 24 facing the gasket 23 to maintain the outer shape of the insulating member 24 .

[0079] That is, the elastic member 26 can maintain the appearance of the insulating member 24, and therefore, even if the insulating member 24 is deformed, the insulating member 24 can be restored to its original shape, and therefore, the gasket 23 can be stably protected from the flames and gases generated during thermal runaway of the battery module 10.

[0080] Specifically, the elastic member 26 has heat resistance and is attached to the entire surface of the insulating member 24. Therefore, the elastic member 26 can reinforce the strength of the entire insulating member 24 and restore the entire insulating member 24 to its original shape.

[0081] The material of the elastic member 26 may be polypropylene.

[0082] Therefore, the battery pack 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention may include the elastic member 26 to maintain the outer shape of the insulating member 24 .

[0083] [Electrode Group According to the Third Embodiment of the Present Invention]

[0084] Fig.10 is a cross-sectional view of a battery pack according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0085] like Fig.10 As shown, the battery pack 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes a battery module 10 and a pack case 20. The pack case 20 includes a lower case 21, an upper case 22, a gasket 23, and an insulating member 24.

[0086] Here, the insulating layer 27 is applied on the end of the gasket 23 disposed inside the pack case 20. Therefore, the insulating layer 27 can protect the gasket 23 from flames and gases generated during thermal runaway of the battery module 10.

[0087] The insulating layer 27 may be made of the same material as the insulating member 24 .

[0088] Therefore, the battery pack 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes the insulating layer 27 to block flames and gases generated during thermal runaway of the battery module 10 primarily through the insulating member 24 and secondarily through the insulating layer 27. Therefore, the gasket 23 can be greatly prevented from being damaged.

[0089] [Vehicle According to Fourth Embodiment of the Invention]

[0090] Fig.11 is a schematic side view of a vehicle according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0091] like Fig.11 As shown, a vehicle according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention includes a battery pack 1 and a vehicle body 2 on which the battery pack 1 is mounted.

[0092] Therefore, by installing the battery pack 1 including the insulating member 24 , the safety of the vehicle according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention can be improved.

[0093] Although the battery pack and the vehicle including the same according to the present invention have been described above with reference to the exemplary drawings, those skilled in the art may make various changes and modifications thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

[0094] [Description of symbol]

[0095] 1: Battery Pack

[0096] 2: Car body

[0097] 10: Battery module

[0098] 20: Battery pack housing

[0099] 21: Lower shell

[0100] 22: Upper shell

[0101] 23: Washer

[0102] 24: Insulation components

[0103] 25: Adhesive

[0104] 26: Elastic components

[0105] 27: Insulation layer

Claims

1. A battery pack, comprising: Battery modules; as well as a battery pack housing configured to accommodate the battery module, Wherein, the battery pack housing comprises: a lower housing in which the battery module is accommodated; an upper housing coupled to cover an upper opening of the lower housing; a gasket disposed on an interface between the lower housing and the upper housing; and An insulating member is disposed between the battery module and the gasket.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein: The insulating member is disposed between an end portion of the battery module disposed along a full length direction of the battery module and the gasket.

3. The battery pack according to claim 2, wherein: The insulating member is configured to surround the gasket toward the end portion of the battery module.

4. The battery pack according to claim 2, wherein: An area of ​​the insulating member is larger than an area of ​​the end portion of the battery module.

5. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein: One side of the insulating member is attached and fixed to an inner wall of the lower case.

6. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein: The other side of the insulating member is attached and fixed to an upper end of the battery module.

7. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein: The insulating member is made of flexible insulating paper.

8. The battery pack according to claim 7, wherein: The insulating paper is made of mica.

9. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein: An elastic member configured to maintain the outer appearance of the insulating member is attached to a surface of the insulating member facing the gasket.

10. The battery pack according to claim 9, wherein: The elastic member has heat resistance and is attached to the entire surface of the insulating member.

11. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein: One end of the insulating member extends to the bottom surface of the lower case.

12. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein: An insulating layer is applied to the end of the gasket that is disposed inside the battery housing.

13. The battery pack according to claim 12, wherein: The insulating layer is made of the same material as the insulating member.

14. A vehicle comprising the battery pack according to claim 1.

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