Battery pack and vehicle including the same

Abstract

A battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a plurality of battery cells; a battery pack case configured to accommodate the plurality of battery cells; and an exhaust unit configured to be mountable to the pack case and having an exhaust device configured to exhaust gas generated from the battery cells to the outside and a protective cover configured to cover at least a portion of the exhaust device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a battery pack and a vehicle including the battery pack.

[0002] This application is based on and claims the benefit of priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0119302 filed on September 7, 2023, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0003] This application is based on and claims the benefit of priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0097201 filed on July 23, 2024, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Background Art

[0004] Due to their high applicability across product categories and electrical properties such as high energy density, secondary batteries are widely used not only in portable devices but also in electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) powered by mains electricity. Secondary batteries are attracting attention as a new energy source for improving environmental sustainability and energy efficiency, not only because they achieve the major advantage of significantly reducing the use of fossil fuels, but also because they do not produce byproducts resulting from the use of energy.

[0005] The types of secondary batteries commonly used currently include, for example, lithium-ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, and nickel-zinc batteries. The operating voltage of a unit secondary battery cell (e.g., a unit battery cell) is about 2.5V to 4.5V. Therefore, when a higher output voltage is required, a plurality of battery cells can be connected in series to form a battery pack. In addition, depending on the charge / discharge capacity required for the battery pack, a plurality of battery cells can be connected in parallel to form a battery pack. Therefore, the number of battery cells included in the battery pack can be set differently according to the required output voltage or charge / discharge capacity.

[0006] Meanwhile, when forming a battery pack by connecting a plurality of battery cells in series or in parallel, generally, a battery module including at least one battery cell is first formed, and then a battery pack or battery rack is formed by adding other components while using the at least one battery module. In addition, in recent years, battery packs have been manufactured in the form of a battery cell-to-battery pack, in which a plurality of battery cells are directly housed in a battery pack case or the like without being encapsulated in a module. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Technical issues

[0008] The present disclosure provides a battery pack and a vehicle including the battery pack, which can ensure the safety and reliability of battery cells or battery modules under abnormal circumstances.

[0009] Advantages of the present disclosure are not limited to the above advantages, and those skilled in the art may clearly understand other advantages not described herein from the following description of the present disclosure.

[0010] Technical Solution

[0011] A battery pack according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: a plurality of battery cells; a battery pack housing that accommodates the plurality of battery cells; and an exhaust unit that can be installed in the battery pack housing and is provided with an exhaust device and a protective cover, the exhaust device exhausting gas generated in the plurality of battery cells to the outside of the battery pack housing, and the protective cover covering at least a portion of the exhaust device.

[0012] In the above battery pack, the protective cover may cover an upper end portion of the exhaust device so as to block sparks emitted from the plurality of battery cells.

[0013] The battery pack may further include a module case accommodating the plurality of battery cells in an internal space thereof and provided with a vent hole formed in a top thereof to communicate with the internal space.

[0014] In the above-mentioned battery pack, the battery pack housing may include: a base frame, on which a plurality of battery cells are placed; and a side frame, which extends upward from the base frame and allows the exhaust device to be installed therein, and the side frame may include a mounting hole, into which at least a portion of the exhaust device is inserted.

[0015] In the above battery pack, the protective cover may include a main cover disposed to face the exhaust device and cover a front portion of the exhaust device; and a top cover extending from the main cover toward the exhaust device and covering a top portion of the exhaust device.

[0016] In the above battery pack, the protection cover may further include a lower end bent portion formed to bend from a lower end of at least one of the main cover and the top cover in a direction away from the exhaust device.

[0017] In the above battery pack, the protection cover may further include a protrusion protruding outward from an outer surface of the main cover.

[0018] In the above battery pack, the top cover may be formed in a curved arc shape.

[0019] In the above battery pack, the protection cover may further include: a protrusion configured to protrude upward from one end of the top cover connected to the main cover.

[0020] In the above battery pack, the top cover may be formed to be inclined upward toward the main cover.

[0021] In the above battery pack, the protection cover may include a cover case that is installed in the battery pack case and connected to an extended end of the top cover and allows at least a portion of the exhaust device to be inserted therein.

[0022] In the above battery pack, the cover case may be coupled to one side surface of the pack case, and further include a sealing member that seals a separation space between the cover case and the one side surface of the pack case.

[0023] In the above battery pack, the top cover may extend inwardly from the cover case so that the top cover and the main cover are disposed inside the pack case.

[0024] A vehicle according to the present disclosure may include the battery pack.

[0025] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a battery pack housing that houses a plurality of battery cells and is equipped with a venting unit. The venting unit includes: a venting device mounted in the battery pack housing and configured to vent gases generated in the plurality of battery cells to the exterior of the battery pack housing; and a protective cover covering at least a portion of the venting device.

[0026] In the above-mentioned battery pack case, the protective cover may cover an upper end portion of the exhaust device to block sparks emitted from the plurality of battery cells.

[0027] The battery pack housing may further include a base frame on which the plurality of battery cells are placed, and a side frame extending upward from the base frame and allowing the exhaust device to be installed therein. The side frame may include a mounting hole into which at least a portion of the exhaust device is inserted.

[0028] In the above-mentioned battery pack case, the protective cover may include a guide channel capable of blocking sparks emitted from the plurality of battery cells and simultaneously guiding the direction of the sparks to the inside of the battery pack case.

[0029] Beneficial effects

[0030] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, sparks occurring in an abnormal situation of a battery cell are prevented from being exposed to the outside of a battery pack case, so that safety and reliability can be ensured.

[0031] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the spread of flame outside the battery pack is suppressed, so that the performance of preventing heat propagation in a battery pack unit can be effectively achieved.

[0032] As a result, it is possible to prevent or delay an event (eg, fire or explosion) caused by a thermal runaway phenomenon in a battery pack including a plurality of battery modules or a device equipped with the battery pack.

[0033] In electric vehicles, the propagation of thermal runaway between battery cells or battery modules is suppressed or delayed, giving vehicle occupants enough time to escape the vehicle or keep the vehicle drivable.

[0034] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, exhaust gas generated in an abnormal condition of a battery cell can be smoothly discharged to the outside of a battery pack case.

[0035] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, in the event of an abnormality in a specific battery cell or battery module within a single battery pack, hot gases generated within the battery cell can be quickly discharged to the exterior of the battery pack housing. This protects the remaining battery cells or battery modules from thermal damage to the greatest extent possible, thereby preventing a series of secondary fires.

[0036] The present disclosure can achieve various other effects, which are described in the embodiments of the present disclosure below, and, for example, descriptions of effects that can be easily inferred by those skilled in the art are omitted herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] Since the drawings attached hereto are used to facilitate understanding of the technical concept of the present disclosure in conjunction with the following detailed description of the present disclosure, the present disclosure should not be interpreted as being limited to the contents shown in the drawings.

[0038] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an entire battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a portion of the configuration of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view showing main parts of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] Figure 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] Figure 5 is a view of a gas exhaust unit included in a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when viewed from the inside of a battery pack case.

[0043] Figure 6 : is a view showing the direction in which sparks are discharged from the battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, Figure 6 Can be shown along Figure 1 A view of a cross section taken along line II'.

[0044] Figure 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main portion of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] Figure 8 is a view illustrating a gas exhaust unit included in a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] Figure 9 is a view illustrating a gas exhaust unit included in a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0047] Figure 10 is a view illustrating a gas exhaust unit included in a battery pack according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0048] Figure 11 is a view illustrating a gas exhaust unit included in a battery pack according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0049] Figure 12 is a view illustrating a gas exhaust unit included in a battery pack according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0050] Figure 13 is a view illustrating a state in which a protection cover is removed from the battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0051] Figure 14 It is a perspective view of a portion of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure when viewed from the outside.

[0052] Figure 15 : is a cross-sectional view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure when viewed from above. For example, Figure 15 Can be shown along Figure 1 A view of a portion of a cross section taken along line II-II'.

[0053] Figure 16 is a schematic perspective view of a vehicle including a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0054] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the multiple views of the drawings. The figures presented are shown for simplicity and clarity and are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of the various embodiments. In addition, common but well-known elements that are useful or necessary in commercially feasible embodiments are generally not depicted to facilitate a less obstructed view of the various embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The words and terms used in the detailed description and claims herein should not be interpreted as limited to their ordinary meanings or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted as having meanings and concepts corresponding to the technical concepts of the present disclosure based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define terms and concepts for the purpose of best describing the present disclosure.

[0056] Therefore, it can be understood that the embodiments described herein and the configurations shown in the drawings are merely exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, which do not exhaustively represent the technical concept of the present disclosure, and that various equivalents and modifications may be made to replace the present disclosure when the present disclosure is filed.

[0057] The present disclosure includes various embodiments. In the embodiments, repeated descriptions of substantially the same or similar components are omitted, and descriptions are focused on differences.

[0058] In the present disclosure, expressions indicating directions such as "up," "down," "left," "right," "front," and "back" may be used. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these expressions are used only for convenience of description and may vary depending on, for example, the position of a target object or an observer.

[0059] For example, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the X-axis direction shown in the accompanying drawings may refer to the left-right direction, the Y-axis direction may refer to the front-back direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction in a horizontal plane (XY plane), and the Z-axis direction may refer to the up-down direction (vertical direction) perpendicular to both the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction.

[0060] When a thermal event such as thermal runaway occurs in a battery pack, gas may be released from the battery cells included in the battery pack, and this gas may, for example, contain flames. Furthermore, generally speaking, when gas is released from the battery cells, fragments of the electrode plates or active materials in the battery cells may be heated to high temperatures and discharged externally, and the heated particles may appear as sparks.

[0061] In many cases, battery packs are designed so that when an abnormality occurs in a specific battery cell or module, hot gases and the like are exhausted through an exhaust unit provided in the battery pack housing to discharge the hot gases to the outside of the battery pack housing. In this case, if sparks arising from the hot gases are exposed to the outside of the battery pack housing, the sparks may react with oxygen outside the battery pack, potentially causing flames or fire outside the battery pack. Furthermore, if flames or fire occur outside a specific battery pack, the fire and the like may spread to other adjacent battery packs or equipment equipped with that battery pack, leading to more serious problems.

[0062] The present disclosure provides a technology that prevents, for example, sparks or flames from being exposed to the outside of a battery pack through a vent unit, thereby suppressing the occurrence or spread of flames, fire, etc. outside the battery pack.

[0063] For example, the present disclosure provides a battery pack and a vehicle including the same, which can ensure the safety and reliability of battery cells or battery modules under abnormal circumstances.

[0064] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure are described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0065] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an entire battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the configuration of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a main portion of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 4 is an enlarged view showing a portion of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0066] Reference Figures 1 to 4 , a battery pack 20 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a battery cell 100 , a pack case 200 , and a gas exhaust unit 300 .

[0067] First, the main reference Figure 2 , may include a plurality of battery cells 100. Although not shown, each of the plurality of battery cells 100 may include an electrode assembly, a cell housing accommodating the electrode assembly, and an electrode lead connected to the electrode assembly and led out of the cell housing to serve as an electrode terminal. In this case, the plurality of battery cells 100 may be electrically connected to each other.

[0068] Each battery cell 100 may be a pouch-type secondary battery cell. A cell case of the pouch-type secondary battery cell may be configured in the shape of a pouch in which a metal layer made of aluminum is interposed between polymer layers.

[0069] In one embodiment, Figure 2 As shown, a plurality of battery cells 100 may be arranged side by side in the front-to-back direction (Y-axis direction) while standing upright in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). In this case, each battery cell 100 may be arranged such that the sealing portion faces the left-right direction (X-axis direction) and the up-down direction (Z-axis direction), and the packaging portion faces the front-to-back direction (Y-axis direction).

[0070] The present disclosure is not limited to the specific type or shape of the battery cells 100 described above, and various battery cells 100 known in the art at the time of filing this disclosure may be used to construct the battery pack 20 of the present disclosure. Although the present embodiment relates to pouch-type secondary battery cells having high energy density and easy stacking as shown in the drawings, cylindrical or square secondary battery cells may also be used as the battery cells 100.

[0071] The battery pack case 200 may be configured to accommodate a plurality of battery cells 100. That is, the battery pack case 200 may provide a storage space for accommodating a plurality of battery cells 100. The battery pack case 200 may be made of or include a material that ensures mechanical rigidity (e.g., metal including steel or stainless steel (STS, SUS) or plastic) to safely protect the battery cells 100 and other components accommodated therein.

[0072] In addition, the battery pack 20 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include an exhaust unit 300. The exhaust unit 300 may be configured to be installed in the battery pack housing 200. In this case, a plurality of exhaust units 300 may be provided. Each exhaust unit 300 may include an exhaust device 310 and a protective cover 320.

[0073] The exhaust device 310 may be configured to exhaust gas generated in the battery cells 100 housed in the pack case 200 to the outside of the pack case 200. According to one embodiment, the exhaust device 310 may be configured such that when exhaust gas is generated in the pack case 200 and the internal pressure of the pack case 200 increases, the exhaust device 310 is opened by the pressure of the exhaust gas and the exhaust gas is exhausted to the outside of the pack case 200.

[0074] For example, the vent device 310 may be configured to open and close in response to the internal pressure of the battery pack housing 200. For example, the vent device 310 may include an elastic unit and may be configured so that a sealing unit covering the opening of the vent device 310 opens and closes by the elastic force of the elastic unit. The present disclosure is not limited to the specific type or shape of the vent device 310 described above, and various vent devices 310 known in the art at the time of filing this disclosure may be used to construct the battery pack 20 of the present disclosure.

[0075] The protective cover 320 may be configured to cover at least a portion of the exhaust device 310. According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the protective cover 320 may be configured to completely block sparks generated in the battery pack case 200 from passing through the protective cover 320.

[0076] The protective cover 320 may be made of a material having low thermal conductivity and excellent heat resistance and / or fire resistance. For example, the protective cover 320 may be made of a flame retardant mica material. Alternatively, the protective cover 320 may be made of a metal material having rigidity and heat resistance.

[0077] For example, a spark or flame with strong linearity may be emitted from the battery cell 100 and move toward the exhaust device 310 while striking a structure provided inside the battery pack housing 200. According to the configuration of the embodiment of the present disclosure described above, the protective cover 320 can block the spark from being emitted to the outside of the battery pack housing 200. Therefore, the occurrence of flames caused by the reaction between the spark and oxygen outside the battery pack housing 200 can be suppressed. As a result, according to the above aspects of the present disclosure, the safety and reliability of the battery pack 20 can be ensured.

[0078] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 4 As shown, the protective cover 320 can be configured to cover a portion of the vent 310. That is, the protective cover 320 can have a structure that covers the inside of the vent 310 by covering only a portion of the vent 310 rather than the entire vent 310. In this case, sparks that occur in the battery cells 100 can be blocked by the protective cover 320, and at the same time, the exhaust gas can be smoothly discharged to the exposed portion of the vent 310. Therefore, when an abnormality occurs in the battery cells 100, the exhaust gas is quickly discharged to the outside of the battery pack housing 200 through the vent 310, thereby preventing the internal pressure of the battery pack housing 200 from increasing and suppressing or delaying the occurrence of a series of secondary fires across the remaining battery cells 100.

[0079] Figure 5 is a view of a gas exhaust unit included in a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when viewed from the inside of a battery pack case, and Figure 6 is a view showing the direction of sparks emitted from inside a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, Figure 6 Can be shown along Figure 1 A view of a cross section taken along line II'.

[0080] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the protective cover 320 may be configured to cover the upper end portion of the exhaust device 310, such as Figure 5 and Figure 6 shown.

[0081] For example, exhaust gas or sparks emitted from battery cells 100 may be at high temperatures and therefore have a strong tendency to travel upward. Therefore, when protective cover 320 is configured to cover the upper end of exhaust device 310 as in the aforementioned embodiment, the highly linear sparks inevitably strike protective cover 320, thereby more reliably suppressing the outward emission of sparks. Simultaneously, due to internal pressure, exhaust gas can be smoothly discharged to the exterior of battery pack housing 200 through the exposed lower end of exhaust device 310, which is not covered by protective cover 320.

[0082] According to the embodiments of the present disclosure described above, since sparks emitted from the battery cells 100 are blocked by the vent 310 of the pack case 200 , outward emission of the sparks is prevented, thereby more effectively suppressing occurrence of flames outside the pack case 200 .

[0083] Furthermore, the hot exhaust gas can move along the upper inner surface of the battery pack case 200 toward the exhaust device 310 and be discharged outward. In this case, when the protective cover 320 covers the upper end of the exhaust device 310 as in the configuration of the above-described embodiment, the flow direction of the exhaust gas can be deflected by the protective cover 320 before the exhaust gas is discharged through the exhaust device 310. Furthermore, in this process, the protective cover 320 can suppress the outward emission of sparks and the like that travel toward the exhaust device 310 along with the exhaust gas.

[0084] Furthermore, according to the embodiments of the present disclosure described above, when hot gases, etc., are exhausted to the outside of the battery pack housing 200 in situations such as thermal runaway, the exhausted gases do not travel upward. For example, in situations where there are passengers above the battery pack 10, as in an electric vehicle, the protective cover 320 of the exhaust device 310 suppresses the upward exhaust of gases, flames, etc., thereby further improving the safety of the passengers. Thus, according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, directional exhaust to the underside of the battery pack 10 is achieved, thereby improving the safety of users (e.g., passengers) above the battery pack 10.

[0085] The protective cover 320 may be positioned further inwardly of the exhaust device 310. Exhaust gas and / or sparks generated in the battery cells 100 may migrate to the exhaust device 310. That is, an exhaust path may be formed between the plurality of battery cells 100 and the exhaust unit 300, allowing exhaust gas and / or sparks to flow through the exhaust path. In this case, the protective cover 320 may be configured to span the exhaust path. According to one embodiment, the protective cover 320 may be positioned at a specific location on the exhaust path formed further inwardly of the exhaust device 310 and configured to suppress the migration of, for example, sparks.

[0086] At the same time, refer to Figure 2, a plurality of battery cells 100 may be packaged into one or more battery modules 10. For example, a battery pack 20 according to the present disclosure may include one or more battery modules 10. A plurality of battery cells 100 may be included as components of one or more battery modules 10. In this case, the plurality of battery cells 100 included in the battery module 10 may be electrically connected to each other.

[0087] In addition, a plurality of battery modules 10 may be provided in the pack case 200. That is, the battery pack 20 according to the present disclosure may include a plurality of battery modules 10, and a plurality of battery cells 100 included in the battery pack 20 may be included by being distributed into the plurality of battery modules 10.

[0088] According to one embodiment, the battery pack 20 of the present disclosure may include a module housing 11. The module housing 11 may be configured to have an inner cavity that accommodates at least some of the plurality of battery cells 100. For example, the module housing 11 may be provided for each battery module 10 so that the plurality of battery cells 100 are grouped into the plurality of battery modules 10, and may serve as a boundary that physically defines the inner space of each battery module 10.

[0089] Although not shown, the battery module 10 may include a bus bar assembly and / or module terminals electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells 100 accommodated therein.

[0090] According to one embodiment, the battery module 10 may include a vent hole H. The vent hole H may be configured to allow gas generated in the battery cells 100 accommodated in the module case 11 to be discharged to the outside of the module case 11 .

[0091] For example, the exhaust hole H can be provided in the module housing 11 to achieve directional exhaust in a specific direction. Figure 2 and Figure 6 As shown, the exhaust hole H may be provided in the top of the module housing 11. According to the present embodiment, exhaust gas and / or sparks may be guided to be discharged from the top of the battery module.

[0092] According to the above embodiments of the present disclosure, Figure 6 As shown by the dashed arrows in the figure, exhaust gas, sparks, etc. can be guided toward the top of the battery pack housing 200 through the exhaust hole H in the module housing 11. Therefore, when exhaust gas, sparks, etc. move along the upper inner surface of the battery pack housing 200 toward the exhaust device 310, the flow of exhaust gas, sparks, etc. can be more reliably blocked by the protective cover 320 covering the upper end of the exhaust device 310. As a result, the sparks can be more effectively prevented from being discharged outside the battery pack housing 200.

[0093] At the same time, refer to Figure 2 , the battery pack case 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a base frame 210 and a side frame 220 .

[0094] The base frame 210 may form the lower surface of the battery pack housing 200 and may be formed in a generally square plate shape. The base frame 210 may be configured to stably position a plurality of battery cells 100 on its upper surface. Furthermore, the base frame 210 may have a flat upper surface, allowing a plurality of battery cells 100 or module housings 11 to be stably positioned on the upper surface.

[0095] The side frames 220 may extend upward from each side of the base frame 210. The side frames 220 may include a plurality of cell walls to surround the plurality of battery cells 100 or battery modules 10. According to one embodiment, the side frames 220 may form side surfaces of the battery pack case 200, including a rear wall located at the end of the base frame 210 in the +Y direction, a right wall located at the end of the base frame 210 in the +X direction, a front wall located at the end of the base frame 210 in the -Y direction, and a left wall located at the end of the base frame 210 in the -X direction.

[0096] The exhaust unit 300 may be provided in a side surface of the battery pack case 200 (eg, in the side frame 220). Figure 3 According to one embodiment, a mounting hole 221 may be provided in the side frame 220. The mounting hole 221 may be configured so that at least a portion of the exhaust device 310 can be inserted therein. The shape and size of the mounting hole 221 may vary depending on the shape and size of the exhaust device 310. In this case, a protective cover 320 may be positioned inside the side frame 220 to cover at least a portion of the exhaust device 310.

[0097] As needed, a plurality of mounting holes 221 may be formed in the side frame 220. In addition, a plurality of exhaust devices 310 and a plurality of protective covers 320 may be provided. For example, the exhaust device 310 may be provided in at least a portion of a plurality of cell walls of the side frame 220. In addition, the exhaust device 310 may be provided in each of two or more cell walls, or two or more exhaust devices 310 may be provided in one cell wall. For example, referring to Figure 2 , a plurality of exhaust devices 310 may be provided in each of the front wall and the rear wall.

[0098] The protective cover 320 may be provided to correspond to each of the exhaust devices 310 provided as described above. Figure 2As shown, four exhaust devices 310 are provided in each of the front wall and the rear wall, and a protective cover 320 is provided for each of the exhaust devices 310, so that a total of eight protective covers 320 can be included in the battery pack. The plurality of exhaust devices 310 and the plurality of protective covers 320 (e.g., the plurality of exhaust units 300) can be provided symmetrically with respect to the center of the side frame 220.

[0099] At the same time, for example, the above reference Figure 2 The number and position of the exhaust device 310 and the protective cover 320 described in the embodiment are merely examples, and various modifications may be made. Figure 2 In the embodiment, the exhaust device 310 and the protective cover 320 are disposed in the walls of the side frame 220 extending in the X-axis direction (e.g., the front and rear walls of the side frame 220). However, the exhaust device 310 and the protective cover 320 may be disposed in the walls of the side frame 220 extending in the Y-axis direction (e.g., the left and right walls). Furthermore, according to the embodiments of the present disclosure described above, when an abnormality occurs in the battery cell 100, hot gas or the like can be exhausted in two directions of the battery pack housing 200, allowing the gas to be exhausted to the outside of the battery pack housing 200 more quickly.

[0100] At the same time, refer to Figure 1 and Figure 6 , the battery pack 20 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a battery pack cover 230. The battery pack cover 230 may be configured to cover the tops of the plurality of battery cells 100. To this end, the battery pack cover 230 may be connected to the tops of the side frames 220 to form the upper surface of the battery pack housing 200. The battery pack cover 230 may protect the components (e.g., the battery cells 100) housed in the battery pack housing 200 and prevent exhaust gases and / or sparks discharged from the battery cells 100 from being discharged to the outside of the battery pack housing 200, particularly to the outside of the top of the battery pack housing 200. In particular, the battery pack cover 230 may guide exhaust gases, sparks, etc. toward the exhaust device 310 inside the battery pack housing 200.

[0101] At the same time, refer to Figure 2 and Figure 6 , the battery pack housing 200 may further include a crossbeam 240. The crossbeam 240 may be provided to form a partition between the plurality of battery cells 100 or battery modules 10. In addition, the crossbeam 240 may be provided between the side frame 220 on which the exhaust device 310 is provided and the plurality of battery cells 100. For example, each crossbeam 240 may be formed in the shape of a partition wall elongated in the left-right direction and inserted between the battery modules 10 adjacent to each other in the front-to-back direction. In addition, the crossbeam 240 may be formed in the shape of a partition wall elongated in the front-to-back direction and inserted between the battery modules 10 adjacent to each other in the left-to-right direction.

[0102] Furthermore, the cross beams 240 may be disposed to be spaced a predetermined distance from the battery pack cover 230. That is, the cross beams 240 may be disposed so that at least a portion of an upper end of each cross beam 240 does not contact the lower surface of the battery pack cover 230 but is spaced a predetermined distance from the lower surface of the battery pack cover 230.

[0103] According to the above embodiment, heat or flames can be prevented from directly moving between the battery cell assemblies or battery modules 10 separated by the crossbar 240. In addition, according to the above embodiment, the separation space between the crossbar 240 and the battery pack cover 230 can also improve the effect of guiding the gas, sparks, etc. generated in the battery cells 100 to move upward in the internal space of the battery pack case. For example, Figure 6 As shown by the dotted arrows in FIG, gas, sparks, etc. can be guided to the separation space between the crossbeam 240 and the battery pack cover 230, reflected on the battery pack cover 230 or flowing along the lower surface of the battery pack cover 230 toward the exhaust device 310, and then reaching the protective cover 320 covering the upper end of the exhaust device 310. According to the above-mentioned embodiment of the present disclosure, the protective cover 320 provided in the exhaust device 310 can also block sparks emitted from the battery cells 100.

[0104] Figure 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main portion of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 8 is a view illustrating a gas exhaust unit included in a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0105] Refer to the following Figure 7 and Figure 8 The detailed structure of the protection cover 320 is described. The protection cover 320 may include a main cover 321 and a top cover 322.

[0106] The main cover 321 may be disposed facing the exhaust device 310. The main cover 321 may be configured to cover the front inner surface of the exhaust device 310. The main cover 321 may have a plate shape. Since the main cover 321 is formed in a plate shape, the main cover 321 may face the exhaust device 310 or the side frame 220 in parallel. According to the above-described embodiment of the present disclosure, the main cover 321 may more easily cover a portion of the exhaust device 310.

[0107] The top cover 322 may extend from an upper edge of the main cover 321. For example, the top cover 322 may extend from the main cover 321 toward the exhaust device 310. The top cover 322 may be configured to cover the top of the exhaust device 310. Thus, the top cover 322 may block sparks from traveling toward the top of the exhaust device 310.

[0108] According to the above-mentioned embodiment of the present disclosure, the protective cover 320 can not only block sparks directed toward the front surface of the exhaust device 310, but also block sparks directed toward the top of the exhaust device 310, thereby more effectively preventing sparks from being emitted to the outside of the battery pack housing 200.

[0109] Furthermore, according to the above-described embodiment of the present disclosure, a separation distance is formed between the main cover 321 and the exhaust device 310 at the upper end of the exhaust device 310 by the top cover 322, thereby forming a space through which exhaust gas can flow. Furthermore, in this case, exhaust gas can also be discharged from the portion of the exhaust device 310 covered by the protective cover 320. Therefore, even if exhaust gas is trapped in the space between the protective cover 320 and the exhaust device 310, the exhaust gas can be discharged more smoothly through this space.

[0110] Figure 9 is a view illustrating a gas exhaust unit included in a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0111] Reference Figure 9 , the protection cover 320 may further include a lower end bent portion 325 .

[0112] The lower end bent portion 325 may be configured to extend while being bent at a predetermined angle from the lower end of at least one of the main cover 321 and the top cover 322 in a direction away from the exhaust device 310. Figure 9 In an embodiment, the lower end curved portion 325 is bent only at the lower end of the main cover 321. The lower end curved portion 325 may be configured in an inclined shape. The lower end curved portion 325 may be bent so as to approach the base frame 210 as it extends outward from the main body of the main cover 321. In other words, the lower end curved portion 325 may be arranged at an obtuse angle relative to the main cover 321.

[0113] According to the embodiment of the present disclosure described above, sparks reflected downward after striking the main cover 321 can be guided toward the interior of the battery pack housing 200 by the lower end bent portion 325. Therefore, the sparks can be more effectively blocked from being directed back toward the exhaust device 310, thereby more effectively suppressing the sparks from being emitted to the outside of the battery pack housing 200.

[0114] Figure 10 is a view illustrating a gas exhaust unit included in a battery pack according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0115] Reference Figure 10 , the protection cover 320 may further include a protrusion 326 .

[0116] The protrusion 326 may be configured to protrude at least a portion of the main cover 321. The protrusion 326 may be configured to protrude outward from the outer surface of the main cover 321 (eg, in a direction toward the inside of the battery pack housing 200). Figure 10 In an embodiment, the protrusion 326 may have a shape protruding outward from the outer surface of the main cover 321.

[0117] Furthermore, the protrusion 326 may be arranged to extend obliquely from the outer surface of the main cover 321 toward the battery pack cover 230. That is, the protrusion 326 may be arranged to form an acute angle with respect to the main cover 321. For example, at least a portion of the protrusion 326 may be configured to point upward at its outer end while protruding outward from the outer surface of the main cover 321. The length of the protrusion 326 protruding from the main cover 321 may vary.

[0118] According to one embodiment, a plurality of protrusions 326 may be provided. The plurality of protrusions 326 may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other along the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). In addition, the plurality of protrusions 326 may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other along the horizontal direction.

[0119] According to the embodiments of the present disclosure described above, sparks, flames, and the like emitted from the battery cells 100 are reflected by the protrusions 326, thereby suppressing the flow of sparks, flames, and the like that have a strong linearity. Furthermore, in this case, particles such as sparks can be trapped in, for example, the grooves formed between the protrusions 326. Consequently, the emission of sparks, flames, and the like to the outside of the battery pack case 200 can be more effectively prevented.

[0120] Figure 11 is a view showing a gas exhaust unit included in a battery pack according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 12 is a view illustrating a gas exhaust unit included in a battery pack according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0121] Reference Figures 8 to 12 , the top cover 322 can be configured in an arc shape. For example, when the protective cover 320 is viewed from the front, the upper end of the main cover 321 can be formed in an arc shape, and the top cover 322 can extend from the upper end of the main cover 321. Therefore, the top cover 322 can also be formed in an arc shape.

[0122] According to the above-described embodiment of the present disclosure, the top cover 322 is formed in a curved shape without corners, thereby preventing particles such as sparks from gathering on the top cover 322. In addition, according to the above-described embodiment of the present disclosure, the pressure applied to the top cover 322 due to the sparks can be dispersed, thereby further enhancing the rigidity of the protective cover 320.

[0123] Reference Figure 11, the protection cover 320 may further include a protrusion 327 .

[0124] The protrusion 327 may be provided at one end of the top cover 322 connected to the main cover 321. The protrusion 327 may be provided to protrude upward from the top cover 322. For example, referring to Figure 11 In an embodiment, the protrusion 327 may have a shape that protrudes upward from the outer surface of the top cover 322.

[0125] According to the embodiments of the present disclosure described above, sparks collected on the top cover 322 can be prevented from traveling back toward the sides of the battery cell 100 or the exhaust device 310. Figure 11 In the embodiment, the protrusion 327 can prevent sparks from moving to the battery cells 100 disposed inside the exhaust unit 300. In addition, the protrusion 327 can bend or redirect the flow direction of sparks moving toward the exhaust device 310, causing the sparks to move in the left-right direction (which is the side of the exhaust device 310 not exposed by the protective cover 320).

[0126] Reference Figure 12 , the top cover 322 may be provided to be inclined upward toward the main cover 321. That is, the top cover 322 may be formed in a trumpet shape that is inclined upward as it approaches the main cover 321 from the exhaust device 310 side.

[0127] According to the embodiments of the present disclosure described above, sparks collected on the top cover 322 can be prevented from moving inward (e.g., toward the battery cell 100 side or the exhaust device 310 side). In addition, sparks on the top cover 322 can be guided to move in the left-right direction (which is the side of the exhaust device 310 that is not exposed by the protective cover 320).

[0128] Figure 13 is a view showing a state in which the protective cover 320 is removed from the pack case 200 of the battery pack 20 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 14 It is a perspective view of a portion of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure when viewed from the outside. Figure 15 2 is a cross-sectional view of a corner portion of the pack case 200 of the battery pack 20 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, when viewed from above.

[0129] Reference Figures 8 to 15 , the protective cover 320 may include a cover housing 323 .

[0130] An extended end of the top cover 322 may be connected to the cover case 323. That is, the top cover 322 may be disposed between the cover case 323 and the main cover 321 to connect the cover case 323 and the main cover 321 to each other.

[0131] The cover housing 323 may be configured such that at least a portion of the exhaust device 310 is inserted into the cover housing 323. To this end, the cover housing 323 may include an insertion hole 324. At least a portion of the exhaust device 310 may be inserted into the insertion hole 324.

[0132] For example, the cover housing 323 can be mounted in the mounting hole 221 formed in the side frame 220, such that the main cover 321 and the top cover 322 are positioned on the inner side of the side frame 220. To this end, at least a portion of the outer periphery of the cover housing 323 can be configured to correspond to the mounting hole 221 of the side frame 220. Furthermore, a portion of the exhaust device 310 can be inserted into the insertion hole 324 formed in the cover housing 323 of the protective cover 320 and positioned further outward relative to the main cover 321 and the top cover 322. Therefore, according to the embodiments of the present disclosure described above, sparks and the like occurring in the battery cells 100 can be blocked by the main cover 321 and the top cover 322, and gases not blocked by the main cover 321 and the top cover 322 can be discharged to the outside of the battery pack housing 200 through the exhaust holes 311 formed in the exhaust device 310.

[0133] Reference Figure 13 and Figure 14 , the cover housing 323 can be installed in the battery pack housing 200. For example, the cover housing 323 can be coupled and fixed to the side frame 220 by bolts. According to the embodiments of the present disclosure described above, a configuration in which the protective cover 323 and the side frame 220 are coupled and fixed to each other can be achieved with a simple structure. In this case, the battery pack 20 can be easily assembled, thereby reducing time and cost.

[0134] The cover housing 323 may be coupled to the battery pack housing 200 on one side surface of the battery pack housing 200. For example, Figure 13 and Figure 14 As shown, the cover housing 323 may have an outer diameter wider than the mounting hole 221 formed in the side frame 220, so that the edge portion of the cover housing 323 may be attached and coupled to the outer surface of the side frame 220. That is, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the protective cover 320 may be coupled from the outside of the battery pack housing 200. In particular, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the exhaust unit 300 may be configured in an integrated form of the exhaust device 310 and the protective cover 320. In this case, in a state where the battery cells 100 and the like are accommodated in the battery pack housing 200, the exhaust unit 300 is assembled outside the battery pack housing 200, rather than being assembled in the complicated interior of the battery pack housing 200, thereby making it possible to improve productivity and assembly performance.

[0135] Reference Figure 13 and Figure 15The battery pack 20 according to one aspect of the present disclosure may further include a sealing member 400. When the cover housing 323 is coupled to one side surface of the battery pack housing 200, a separation space may be formed between the cover housing 323 and the one side surface of the battery pack housing 200. The sealing member 400 may be configured to seal the separation space.

[0136] In this case, a portion of the cover housing 323 may be recessed to form a mounting groove 328 into which the sealing member 400 is inserted. Figure 13 As shown, when the cover housing 323 is coupled to the outer surface of the battery pack housing 200 , the mounting groove 328 may be formed in the inner surface of the cover housing 323 .

[0137] Unlike the above embodiment, the cover housing 323 may be coupled to the inner surface of the side frame 220. In this case, the mounting groove 328 may be formed in the outer surface of the cover housing 323, and the sealing member 400 may be provided between the outer surface of the cover housing 323 and the inner surface of the side frame 220.

[0138] The top cover 322 may be provided to extend inwardly from the cover housing 323. Thus, the top cover 322 and the main cover 321 may be provided inside the battery pack housing 200. In addition, at least a portion of the main cover 321 and the top cover 322 may be inserted into the mounting hole 221 of the side frame 220.

[0139] In this case, the formation of the protruding portion of the exhaust unit 300 on the outer side of the battery pack case 200 can be minimized. Therefore, it is possible to improve the installation performance of the battery pack 10. In particular, according to the above embodiment, the space in which the battery pack 10 is installed is not unnecessarily increased, and the protruding portion can be prevented from interfering with other equipment arranged near the battery pack 10.

[0140] In addition, if Figure 15 As shown, at least a portion of the exhaust device 310, the top cover 322, and the main cover 321 may be disposed in an inwardly recessed portion of the side frame 220. That is, the main cover 321 and the top cover 322 may be disposed so as not to protrude inwardly relative to the inner surfaces of the exhaust device 310 and the side frame 220.

[0141] According to the embodiments of the present disclosure described above, the main cover 321 and the top cover 322 can be suppressed from protruding into the interior space of the pack case 200. Therefore, occupation of the interior space of the pack case 200 by the protective cover 320 can be minimized, thereby improving the efficiency of the battery pack 20.

[0142] Figure 16 is a schematic perspective view of a vehicle including a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0143] Reference Figure 16The vehicle 30 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one battery pack 20 including the battery pack housing 200 according to the above-described embodiment. The vehicle 30 according to the present disclosure may be, for example, an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, or a plug-in hybrid vehicle. The vehicle 30 may be any of various types of vehicles including not only four-wheeled vehicles but also two-wheeled or three-wheeled vehicles. According to one embodiment, the vehicle 30 may be powered by the battery pack 20 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0144] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments. Without departing from the gist of the present disclosure as defined in the claims, a person skilled in the art may make various modifications to the present disclosure, and these modifications should not be interpreted as being independent of the technical concepts or viewpoints of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A battery pack, comprising: Multiple battery cells; a battery pack housing configured to accommodate the plurality of battery cells; as well as An exhaust unit is configured to be installed in the battery pack housing and is provided with an exhaust device and a protective cover, the exhaust device is configured to exhaust gas generated in the plurality of battery cells to the outside of the battery pack housing, and the protective cover is configured to cover at least a portion of the exhaust device.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein: The protective cover is configured to cover an upper end portion of the exhaust device so as to block sparks emitted from the plurality of battery cells.

3. The battery pack according to claim 2, further comprising: A module case is configured to accommodate the plurality of battery cells in an inner space of the module case and is provided with a vent hole formed in a top portion of the module case to communicate with the inner space.

4. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein: The battery pack housing includes a base frame on which the plurality of battery cells are placed, and a side frame extending upward from the base frame and allowing the exhaust device to be mounted therein, and The side frame includes a mounting hole into which at least a portion of the exhaust device is inserted.

5. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein The protective cover comprises: a main cover disposed to face the exhaust device and configured to cover a front portion of the exhaust device; and A top cover extends from the main cover toward the exhaust device and is configured to cover a top portion of the exhaust device.

6. The battery pack according to claim 5, wherein: The protective cover further comprises: A lower end bent portion is formed to bend from a lower end of at least one of the main cover and the top cover in a direction away from the exhaust device.

7. The battery pack according to claim 5, wherein: The protective cover further comprises: The protrusion is configured to protrude outward from the outer surface of the main cover.

8. The battery pack according to claim 5, wherein: The top cover is formed in an arc shape.

9. The battery pack according to claim 8, wherein: The protective cover further comprises: A protrusion is provided, wherein the protrusion is configured to protrude upward from one end of the top cover connected to the main cover.

10. The battery pack according to claim 9, wherein: The top cover is formed to be inclined upward toward the main cover.

11. The battery pack according to claim 5, wherein: The protective cover comprises: A cover housing is installed in the battery pack housing, is coupled to the extended end of the top cover, and is configured to allow at least a portion of the exhaust device to be inserted into the cover housing.

12. The battery pack according to claim 11, wherein: The cover housing is coupled to one side surface of the pack housing, and further includes a sealing member configured to seal a separation space between the cover housing and the one side surface of the pack housing.

13. The battery pack according to claim 11, wherein: The top cover extends inwardly from the cover housing such that the top cover and the main cover are disposed inside the battery pack housing.

14. A vehicle comprising the battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. A battery pack housing configured to accommodate a plurality of battery cells and equipped with a vent unit, in, The exhaust unit comprises: an exhaust device configured to be installed in the battery pack case and to exhaust gas generated in the plurality of battery cells to the outside of the battery pack case; and A protective cover is configured to cover at least a portion of the exhaust device.

16. The battery pack housing according to claim 15, wherein: The protective cover is configured to cover an upper end portion of the exhaust device to block sparks emitted from the plurality of battery cells.

17. The battery pack housing according to claim 15, further comprising: a base frame, on which the plurality of battery cells are placed; as well as a side frame extending upward from the base frame and allowing the exhaust device to be mounted therein, The side frame includes a mounting hole, and at least a portion of the exhaust device is inserted into the mounting hole.

18. The battery pack housing according to claim 16, wherein: The protective cover comprises: A guide channel is provided, wherein the guide channel is capable of blocking sparks emitted from the plurality of battery cells and simultaneously directing the sparks toward the interior of the battery pack housing.

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