Battery module, battery system and vehicle comprising same

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a battery module that reduces propagation of exhaust products along a stack of battery cells included in the battery module. In addition, the present disclosure relates to a battery system comprising one or more battery modules. Furthermore, the present disclosure relates to a vehicle comprising at least one battery module and / or at least one battery system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a battery module that reduces the propagation of exhaust products along a stack of battery cells included in the battery module. Furthermore, the present disclosure relates to a battery system including one or more battery modules. Furthermore, the present disclosure relates to a vehicle including at least one battery module and / or at least one battery system. Background Art

[0002] Vehicles have been developed for transporting goods and people using electricity as a source of locomotion. Such electric vehicles are automobiles that are permanently or temporarily propelled by an electric motor using energy stored in rechargeable batteries. Electric vehicles can be powered solely by batteries (battery electric vehicles (BEVs)) or can include a combination of an electric motor and, for example, a conventional internal combustion engine (plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs)). BEVs and PHEVs use high-capacity rechargeable batteries designed to provide power for propulsion for sustained periods of time.

[0003] A rechargeable (or secondary) battery cell may include an electrode assembly comprising a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator interposed between the electrodes. A solid or liquid electrolyte allows ions to move during charging and discharging of the battery cell. The electrode assembly is located in a housing, and electrode terminals located outside the housing establish a conductive connection with the electrodes. The shape of the housing may be, for example, cylindrical or rectangular.

[0004] A battery module is formed by connecting a plurality of battery cells in series or in parallel. That is, a battery module is formed by interconnecting electrode terminals of a plurality of battery cells according to the required amount of power in order to realize a high-power rechargeable battery.

[0005] Battery modules can be constructed in a block design or a modular design. In a block design, each battery cell is coupled to a common current collector structure and a common battery management system, and the cells are arranged in a housing. In a modular design, multiple battery cells are connected together to form a submodule, and several submodules are connected together to form a battery module. In automotive applications, the battery system typically includes multiple battery modules connected in series to provide the desired voltage.

[0006] A battery pack is a group of any number of (e.g., identical) battery modules or individual battery cells. Battery modules (respectively, battery cells) can be configured in series, parallel, or a mixture of the two to deliver the desired voltage, capacity, and / or power density. The components of a battery pack include the individual battery modules and the interconnects that provide electrical conductivity between the battery modules.

[0007] The battery system may also include a battery management system (BMS), which is any suitable electronic system configured to manage the rechargeable battery cells, battery modules, and battery packs, such as by protecting the battery from operating outside its safe operating area, monitoring its status, calculating secondary data, reporting the data, controlling its environment, authenticating it, and / or balancing it. For example, the BMS may monitor the status of the battery cells, which is represented by voltage (e.g., the total voltage of the battery pack or battery module and / or the voltage of each battery cell), temperature (e.g., the average temperature of the battery pack or battery module, the coolant inlet temperature, the coolant output temperature, or the temperature of each battery cell), coolant flow (e.g., flow rate and / or cooling liquid pressure), and current. Additionally, the BMS may calculate values ​​based on the above parameters, such as minimum and maximum cell voltages, state of charge (SOC) or depth of discharge (DOD), to indicate the cell's charge level, state of health (SOH; variously defined measures of the remaining capacity of a cell as a % of the original capacity), state of power (SOP; the amount of charge available over a defined time interval given current power usage, temperature, and other conditions), state of safety (SOS), maximum charge current as charge current limit (CCL), maximum discharge current as discharge current limit (DCL), and the cell's internal impedance (to determine the open circuit voltage).

[0008] The BMS can be centralized, with a single controller connected to the battery cells via multiple wires. In other examples, the BMS can also be distributed, with a BMS board installed at each cell, with only a single communication cable between the battery cell and the controller. In other examples, the BMS can have a modular construction that includes several controllers, each handling a certain number of cells, with communication between the controllers. Centralized BMSs are the most economical, but have the least scalability and suffer from multiple wires. Distributed BMSs are the most expensive, but are the simplest to install and provide the cleanest components. Modular BMSs offer a compromise between the features and problems of the other two topologies.

[0009] The BMS can protect the battery pack from operating outside of its safe operating area. Operation outside the safe operating area can be indicated by overcurrent, overvoltage (during charging), overtemperature, undertemperature, overvoltage, and ground fault or leakage current detection. The BMS can prevent the battery from operating outside of its safe operating parameters by including an internal switch (e.g., a relay or solid-state device) that disconnects if the battery operates outside of its safe operating parameters, requests devices connected to the battery to reduce or even terminate use of the battery, and actively controls the environment such as through heaters, fans, air conditioning, or liquid cooling.

[0010] Mechanical integration of battery packs requires appropriate mechanical connections between the individual components of the battery module, for example, and between the battery module and the vehicle's supporting structure. These connections must remain functional and economical over the average service life of the battery system. Furthermore, installation space and interchangeability requirements, such as in mobile devices, must be met.

[0011] Mechanical integration of the battery module can be achieved by providing a carrier frame and positioning the battery module thereon. The battery cells or modules can be secured using mating recesses in the frame or mechanical interconnections such as bolts or screws. Alternatively, the battery module can be restrained by fastening side panels to the lateral sides of the carrier frame. Furthermore, cover plates can be secured on top and below the battery module.

[0012] The battery pack's carrier frame is attached to the vehicle's load-bearing structure. If the battery pack is to be secured to the vehicle floor, a mechanical connection can be established from the underside, for example, by bolts passing through the battery pack's carrier frame. The frame is typically made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy to reduce the overall weight of the structure.

[0013] Despite any modular structure, a battery system typically includes a battery housing, which serves as a housing to seal the battery system from environmental influences and to provide structural protection for the components of the battery system. The encapsulated battery system is typically installed as a whole into its application environment, such as into an electric vehicle. Therefore, replacement of a defective system component, such as a defective battery submodule requires disassembling the entire battery system and first removing its housing. Even defects in small and / or inexpensive system components may lead to disassembly and replacement of the entire battery system and its individual repair. Since high-capacity battery systems are expensive, large and heavy, this process proves to be cumbersome and storage of the bulky battery systems (e.g. in a mechanic's workshop) becomes difficult.

[0014] The exothermic decomposition of cell components can lead to so-called thermal runaway. In general, thermal runaway describes a process that is accelerated by increased temperature and, in turn, releases energy that further increases the temperature. Thermal runaway occurs when an increase in temperature changes conditions in a way that causes a further increase in temperature, usually with destructive consequences. In rechargeable battery systems, thermal runaway is associated with a strongly exothermic reaction that is accelerated by an increase in temperature. In thermal runaway, the temperature of the battery cell rises rapidly and the stored energy is released very suddenly. In extreme cases, thermal runaway can cause the battery cell to explode and catch fire. In lesser cases, thermal runaway can cause the battery cell to be damaged beyond repair.

[0015] When a battery cell is heated above a critical temperature (e.g., above 150°C), the battery cell may transition into thermal runaway. Typically, temperatures outside the safety zone on the low or high side may cause irreversible damage to the battery cell and, therefore, may trigger thermal runaway. Thermal runaway may also occur due to internal or external short circuits in the battery cell or poor battery maintenance. For example, overcharging or rapid charging may cause thermal runaway.

[0016] During thermal runaway, a failed battery cell can reach temperatures exceeding 700°C. Furthermore, large amounts of hot gases are ejected from the interior of the failed battery cell through the exhaust openings of the cell housing into the battery pack. The main components of the exhausted gases are H2, CO2, CO, electrolyte vapor, and other hydrocarbons. Therefore, the exhausted gases are flammable and potentially toxic. The exhausted gases also cause the gas pressure within the battery pack to increase. In the worst case, the high temperature causes the process to spread to adjacent cells and ignite a fire in the battery pack. And at this stage, the fire is difficult to extinguish.

[0017] The BMS improves the safe operation and optimal performance of rechargeable battery cells and helps minimize the possibility of thermal runaway. For example, if the BMS detects that the temperature is too hot, it can regulate the temperature by controlling the cooling fan. Alternatively, if the battery cells cannot be cooled and safe conditions are restored, the BMS can shut down the necessary battery cells to protect the entire system.

[0018] Existing battery module venting designs utilize the free space within the battery cell stack, allowing exhausted gases to escape the battery pack into the open air. A vent valve acts as a "door" to allow exhausted gases to escape from the battery module. The battery system is robust against heat propagation if exhaust gas or smoke outside the battery module ignites and causes a fire event within a certain period of time.

[0019] However, in such a design, the spread of exhaust products (such as hot exhaust gases and particles such as metal particles and graphite particles) may affect other battery cells and / or external electrical components (e.g., terminals) of other battery cells and thereby degrade their quality or even destroy them, for example by short circuits or arc discharges due to the conductive properties of the exhaust products.

[0020] Therefore, there is a need for a battery module that prevents or reduces the propagation of outgassing products from a battery cell affected by a thermal event (such as thermal runaway) to other battery cells within the battery module, and, for example, prevents or reduces the propagation of particles from a battery cell affected by a thermal event (such as thermal runaway) to other battery cells within the battery module.

[0021] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to overcome or reduce at least some of the above-mentioned disadvantages and to provide a battery module, a battery system and a vehicle using the same, wherein the battery module, the battery pack and the vehicle are each configured to avoid or reduce the propagation of exhaust products from a battery cell affected by a thermal event such as thermal runaway to other battery cells within the battery module, and, for example, to avoid or reduce the propagation of particles from a battery cell affected by a thermal event such as thermal runaway to other battery cells within the battery module. Summary of the Invention

[0022] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a battery module includes: a battery cell stack, the battery cell stack including a plurality of battery cells stacked in a first direction; each of the plurality of battery cells has a terminal side facing a second direction, and the second direction is not parallel to the first direction, each of the terminal sides includes a first terminal, a second terminal and an exhaust outlet, the first terminal and the second terminal are positioned on a straight line extending along a third direction, the third direction is not parallel to the first direction and is not oriented parallel to the second direction; an exhaust space, adjacent to the terminal side extending along the battery cell stack, each of the exhaust outlets leading to the exhaust space; and a guide member positioned in the exhaust space; wherein the first terminals are arranged in a first row of terminals, and the second terminals are arranged in a second row of terminals. The terminals are arranged into a second row, and the exhaust outlets are arranged into a row of exhaust outlets, which are arranged between the first row of terminals and the second row of terminals; wherein the guide includes (i) a plurality of separators, each separator protruding from the battery cell stack into the exhaust space and extending transversely to the first direction, and (ii) a rear separator protruding from the battery cell stack into the exhaust space and extending transversely to a third direction; wherein the rear separator is connected to each of the separators, wherein each of the separators extends from the rear separator along the third direction; and wherein at least one of the exhaust outlets is positioned between a pair of separators relative to the first direction; and wherein the guide defines an opening facing the third direction between the pair of separators.

[0023] A second aspect of the present disclosure relates to a battery system comprising one or more battery modules according to the first aspect of the present disclosure.

[0024] A third aspect of the present disclosure relates to a vehicle comprising at least one battery module according to the first aspect and / or at least one battery system according to the second aspect.

[0025] Other aspects of the disclosure can be learned from the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Certain features of the present disclosure are described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0027] Figure 1 A single battery cell that may be used with embodiments of a battery module according to the present disclosure is schematically shown in perspective view.

[0028] Figure 2 A schematic top view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0029] Figure 3 A schematic cross-section of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The effects and features of the exemplary embodiments and their implementation methods will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals represent the same elements, and redundant descriptions are omitted. However, the present disclosure can be implemented in various different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments shown herein. On the contrary, these embodiments are provided as examples so that the present disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the aspects and features of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0031] Therefore, processes, elements, and techniques that are known to one of ordinary skill in the art for a full understanding of the aspects and features of the present disclosure may not be described.In the drawings, the relative sizes of elements, layers, and regions may be exaggerated for clarity.

[0032] As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. In addition, when describing embodiments of the present disclosure, the use of "may" refers to "one or more embodiments of the present disclosure." In the following description of embodiments of the present disclosure, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, terms in the singular may include plural forms.

[0033] It should be understood that although the terms "first" and "second" are used to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, without departing from the scope of this disclosure, the first element can be named as the second element, and similarly, the second element can be named as the first element. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more associated listed items. Expressions such as "at least one of..." modify the entire element list when it is before the element list, rather than modifying the individual elements in the list.

[0034] 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 take into account typical deviations from measured or calculated values ​​that one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize. In addition, if the term "substantially" is used in conjunction with a feature that can be expressed using a numerical value, the term "substantially" means a range of + / - 5% of the value centered around that value.

[0035] It will be further understood that the terms “include,” “comprising,” “including,” or “comprising” specify attributes, regions, fixed numbers, steps, processes, elements, components, and combinations thereof but do not exclude other attributes, regions, fixed numbers, steps, processes, elements, components, and combinations thereof.

[0036] It will also be understood that when a film, region or element is referred to as being “on” or “over” another film, region or element, it can be directly on the other film, region or element or intervening films, regions or elements may also be present.

[0037] In this document, the terms "upper" and "lower" are defined relative to the y-axis. For example, the upper cover is located at the upper portion of the y-axis, while the lower cover is located at the lower portion thereof. In the accompanying drawings, the dimensions of elements may be exaggerated for clarity. For example, in the accompanying drawings, the dimensions or thickness of each element may be arbitrarily illustrated for illustrative purposes, and thus the embodiments of the present disclosure should not be construed as limited thereto.

[0038] In the following description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, terms in the singular may include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0039] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that, unless expressly defined as such herein, terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and / or this specification, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense.

[0040] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a battery module includes: a battery cell stack, the battery cell stack including a plurality of prismatic battery cells stacked along a first direction; each of the battery cells having a terminal side facing a second direction, wherein the second direction is not parallel to the first direction, each of the terminal sides including a first terminal, a second terminal and an exhaust outlet, the first terminal and the second terminal being positioned on a line extending along a third direction, the third direction being not parallel to the first direction and not parallel to the second direction; an exhaust space extending along the battery cell stack adjacent to the terminal side, each of the exhaust outlets leading to the exhaust space; and a guide positioned in the exhaust space; wherein the first terminals are arranged in a first row of terminals, and the second terminals are arranged in a a second row of terminals, the exhaust outlets being arranged in a row of exhaust outlets, the row of exhaust outlets being arranged between the first row of terminals and the second row of terminals; wherein the guide comprises (i) a plurality of separators, each separator protruding from the battery cell stack into the exhaust space and extending transversely to the first direction, and (ii) a rear separator protruding from the battery cell stack into the exhaust space and extending transversely to a third direction; wherein the rear separator is connected to each of the separators, wherein each of the separators extends from the rear separator in the third direction; wherein at least one of the exhaust outlets is positioned between a pair of separators of the plurality of separators relative to the first direction; and wherein the guide defines an opening facing the third direction between the pair of separators.

[0041] As can be seen from the above general description of the battery module according to the present disclosure, the exhaust space formed adjacent to the terminal side of the battery cell is at least partially subdivided by a plurality of partitions and rear partitions into a plurality of compartments, which can also be considered as exhaust chambers. The compartments or exhaust chambers serve as collection spaces for debris and dust ejected from the exhaust outlet of one or more affected batteries in the event of thermal runaway. Generally speaking, the exhaust space is subdivided into smaller parts by guides in order to prevent the overall deposition of flowing particles (debris and dust) carried by the exhaust gas in the event of thermal runaway.

[0042] When the compartments are open in the third direction (e.g., only in the third direction), they are each constrained in the first direction and opposite to the first direction (by a pair of adjacent separators), opposite to the second direction (by one or more terminal sides of the battery cell stack), and opposite to the third direction (by the rear separator). In other words, with respect to a cross-section taken parallel to a plane spanning the first and third directions, the appearance of each compartment resembles a U-shape, with the opening of the U pointing in the third direction, and of course, the curvature of the U-shape may be varied or replaced by an angled shape.

[0043] Although not all debris and / or dust generated by thermal runaway may accumulate in the compartment and thus remain there, a significant portion of the debris and / or dust may, depending on the shape of the compartment and the position of the exhaust outlet relative to the compartment or the guide that forms the compartment together with the terminal side of the battery cell. Therefore, embodiments of the shape of the guide and the position of the exhaust outlet relative to the compartment / guide will be described later.

[0044] Hereinafter, the first direction may also be referred to as a “stacking direction”.

[0045] In some embodiments of the battery module according to the present disclosure, the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction are perpendicular to each other. In other words, in those embodiments, the second direction is arranged to be orthogonal to the first direction, and the third direction is arranged to be orthogonal to the first direction and to the second direction.

[0046] In some embodiments, some or all of the separators have a flat planar shape. In some embodiments, some or all of the separators having a flat planar shape extend perpendicular to the first direction (ie, perpendicular to the stacking direction).

[0047] In some embodiments, the rear partition has a flat planar shape.Therefore, the rear partition may extend perpendicular to the third direction.

[0048] In some embodiments, the first row of terminals extends parallel to the first direction. Furthermore, the second row of terminals may extend parallel to the first direction. The second row of terminals may be spaced apart from the first row of terminals. Furthermore, the row of exhaust outlets may extend parallel to the first direction.

[0049] In some embodiments, the battery cells are all shaped identically.The terminal sides of all battery cells may be arranged such that there is a plane along which the terminal side of each battery cell extends.

[0050] In some embodiments of a battery module according to the present disclosure, each first terminal serves as a positive terminal for its corresponding battery cell, and each second terminal serves as a negative terminal for its corresponding battery cell. In other words, in some such embodiments, the first row of terminals is formed exclusively of positive terminals, and the second row of terminals is formed exclusively of negative terminals. In some such embodiments, all of the first terminals can be electrically interconnected to form a positive column of the battery module, and all of the second terminals can be electrically interconnected to form a negative column of the battery module. In the latter case, the battery cells of the battery module are connected in parallel.

[0051] In some additional embodiments of battery modules according to the present disclosure, when viewed in the stacking direction, the terminals in a first row of terminals alternately serve as positive terminals and negative terminals for their corresponding battery cells, and the terminals in a second row of terminals alternately serve as negative terminals and positive terminals for their corresponding battery cells, with the first row of terminals thus beginning with a positive terminal and the second row of terminals thus beginning with a negative terminal. In such embodiments, when viewed in the stacking direction, the negative terminal of each battery cell (except the last battery cell) can be electrically connected to the positive terminal of the corresponding subsequent battery cell, with the positive terminal of the first battery cell forming the positive terminal of the battery module and the negative terminal of the last battery cell forming the negative terminal of the battery module. In the latter case, the battery cells of the battery module are connected in series.

[0052] In some embodiments, for some or all pairs of adjacent separators, the opening of the space formed between the corresponding pair of adjacent separators extends from one separator in the corresponding pair of separators to the other separator in the corresponding pair of separators relative to the first direction. In other words, in such an embodiment, the compartment formed by at least some of the pairs of adjacent separators and the rear separator is not limited to the third direction at all. This provides a maximum width of the opening of such a compartment relative to the first direction. A large / maximum cross-section of the opening is desirable to provide sufficient space for exhaust gases ejected from the battery cell into the compartment to expand and escape from the compartment at a sufficient flow rate in the event of thermal runaway at high pressure. When the opening of the space faces the third direction (i.e., the length direction of the terminal side), exhaust products (such as exhaust gases and particles, such as debris and / or dust) can be ejected more easily and farther. This efficiency is due to the prismatic shape of the battery cell, which is characterized by rectangular sides.

[0053] In some embodiments according to the first aspect, the rear separator extends continuously between the first row of terminals and the row of exhaust outlets. In such embodiments, the first terminals are each shielded by the rear separator from dust and / or debris generated in the event of thermal runaway.

[0054] In some embodiments according to the first aspect, the guide further comprises a cover connected to each of the separator and the rear separator on an edge of the separator and the rear separator opposite the stack of battery cells. In such an embodiment, the compartment or exhaust chamber formed between any two adjacent separators is also spatially confined in the second direction. Thus, the outlet (e.g., the only outlet) for exhaust gas ejected from at least one exhaust outlet into the compartment formed between two adjacent separators is an opening to a third direction formed between the two adjacent separators. In some embodiments, the third direction is the primary and dedicated flow direction of the exhaust gas when leaving the compartment or exhaust chamber. In addition, after leaving the compartment, the third direction will remain the primary flow direction of the exhaust gas unless the gas will be deflected by other mechanical means (such as suitable shields, guides and / or walls).

[0055] In some such embodiments, some or all of the openings in the compartments or vent chambers (i.e., the spaces formed between pairs of adjacent separators, the back separator, the cover, and the terminal sides of the battery cells) extend from one of the corresponding pairs of separators to the other of the corresponding pairs of separators relative to a first direction, and from the battery cell stack to the cover relative to a second direction. This provides a maximum width / height of the opening of such a compartment relative to the first and second directions. A large / maximum cross-section of the opening is desirable to provide sufficient space for exhaust gases ejected from the battery cells into the compartment to expand and escape from the compartment at a sufficient flow rate in the event of thermal runaway at high pressure.

[0056] In some embodiments according to the first aspect, the battery module further comprises at least one terminal shield, wherein the at least one terminal shield spatially separates the second row of terminals from the exhaust space. In some such embodiments, at least some of the second terminals are shielded by the at least one terminal shield from exhaust gas flowing out of the one or more compartments in a third direction in the event of thermal runaway.

[0057] In some embodiments, a single terminal shield is used that extends along the entire length of the second row of terminals. In some additional embodiments, several terminal shields are used, each of which shields one (e.g., only one) or a group of adjacent second terminals.

[0058] In some embodiments, each of the exhaust outlets is positioned between a pair of adjacent dividers relative to the first direction.

[0059] In some embodiments according to the first aspect, for at least one pair of adjacent dividers, at least two exhaust outlets are arranged between the corresponding adjacent dividers relative to the first direction.

[0060] For all pairs of adjacent dividers, at least two exhaust outlets may be arranged between the corresponding adjacent dividers relative to the first direction. In some such embodiments, compared to embodiments in which one (e.g., only one) exhaust outlet is positioned within a compartment, the volume of the compartment is increased due to the greater distance between adjacent separating devices defining the compartment relative to the first direction. Thus, in some such embodiments, the compartment provides more space for injected exhaust gas to expand within the compartment before escaping through the compartment opening.

[0061] In some embodiments according to the first aspect, the battery module further includes a housing.

[0062] In some embodiments according to the first aspect, the cover adjoins the housing or forms a part of the housing.

[0063] In some embodiments according to the first aspect, the housing includes: at least one battery module outlet configured to allow exhaust products to pass through; and the at least one battery module outlet can be arranged on a side of the housing facing the third direction. In some such embodiments, the battery module housing includes at least one outlet for discharging exhaust products (exhaust gas and particles, such as debris and / or dust), as previously described, the outlet being arranged in the primary or dedicated / intended flow direction of the exhaust gas (i.e., parallel to the third direction). This allows the exhaust products to be efficiently discharged from the battery module housing because the exhaust products are directed by the guide to the side of the housing including the at least one battery module outlet.

[0064] In some embodiments according to the first aspect, the at least one exhaust outlet is arranged in the region of the opening into the third direction of the space formed between a pair of two adjacent partitions relative to the third direction. In other words, in some such embodiments, the at least one exhaust outlet is arranged in the region of the opening of the compartment, and the exhaust outlet opens into the region of the opening of the compartment.

[0065] In some embodiments, each of the exhaust outlets is arranged in the region of an opening into the third direction of a space formed between a pair of two adjacent partitions relative to the third direction. In some such embodiments, each exhaust outlet is arranged in the region of an opening of a compartment, the exhaust outlet leading to the region of the opening of the compartment.

[0066] In some embodiments according to the first aspect, at least one exhaust outlet opens into the interior of a space formed between a pair of two adjacent partitions. In other words, in some such embodiments, at least one exhaust outlet is arranged to open into the interior of one of the compartments.

[0067] In some embodiments, each of the exhaust outlets opens into the interior of a space formed between a pair of two adjacent partitions. In some such embodiments, each exhaust outlet opens into the interior of a compartment.

[0068] In some embodiments according to the first aspect, the guide is made of at least one of an electrically insulating material and a heat-resistant material.

[0069] In some embodiments, all portions or components of the guides are made of electrically insulating and / or heat-resistant materials. Furthermore, some or each of the guides may be made of electrically insulating and heat-resistant materials. Some or each of the guides may be configured to withstand temperatures up to at least 1300°C. Some or each of the guides may be made of mica or glass fiber reinforced plastic.

[0070] In some embodiments according to the first aspect, at least some of the separators extend from the rear separator to a position between the first row of terminals and the second row of terminals relative to the third direction.

[0071] In some embodiments, each of the separators extends from the rear separator to a position between the first row of terminals and the second row of terminals relative to the third direction. In some such embodiments, a space is provided between the guide member and the end of the battery cell facing the third direction relative to the third direction. This space allows the exhaust gas to expand after escaping from the compartment, which is desirable because the exhaust gas is ejected from the battery cell in a relatively hot state and at high pressure, thus requiring space for expansion after being ejected.

[0072] In some embodiments, each partition extends from the rear partition to the row of exhaust outlets relative to the third direction. Therefore, the row of exhaust outlets can be arranged in the middle between the first row of terminals and the second row of terminals relative to the third direction.

[0073] In some embodiments according to the first aspect, at least one of the separators is disposed between a pair of adjacent battery cells with respect to the first direction.

[0074] In some embodiments, each separator is disposed between a pair of adjacent battery cells with respect to the first direction.

[0075] In some embodiments, the rear separator is arranged in front of the first row of terminals relative to the third direction. For example, when made of an insulating material, the rear separator can be adjacent to the first terminal. Alternatively, the rear separator can be spaced apart from the first row of terminals by a distance of less than 1 cm, for example, 1 mm, 2 mm, or 3 mm.

[0076] A second aspect of the present disclosure relates to a battery system comprising one or more battery modules according to the present disclosure.

[0077] A third aspect of the present disclosure relates to a vehicle comprising at least one battery module and / or at least one battery system according to the present disclosure.

[0078] One improvement of the disclosed battery module is to subdivide the exhaust space above the cells or battery stacks within the battery system into smaller parts to reduce or prevent the overall deposition of particles (such as metal particles and graphite particles) that flow and are carried along with the exhaust gas. These particles can be retained more in a dedicated area toward the provided outlet of the subdivided space to further leave the battery system. Other subdivided areas may not be damaged by dust and debris, so thermal runaway can also be better handled once heat reaches another area. The disclosed battery module allows the ejected (metal and graphite) particles of the battery cells or battery cell stacks to be isolated within the subdivided positions (compartments) during thermal runaway within the battery module, and shielding other subdivided sections (compartments) to avoid or at least reduce the incidence of other subdivided sections (compartments) being subjected to the same hot dust and debris.

[0079] A battery module or battery system includes one or more battery cell stacks. The individual battery cells in one of these stacks may be shaped identically or substantially identically to one another. Figure 1 , the design of a battery cell 1 used in a battery cell stack is schematically shown in a perspective view with reference to a Cartesian coordinate system. The battery cell 1 has a prismatic (rectangular) shape. On the upper side 10 of the battery cell 1 (i.e., the side surface of the battery cell facing the Y direction of the coordinate system), a first terminal T1 and a second terminal T2 are arranged. Therefore, the upper side surface 10 is referred to as the "terminal side" of the battery cell 1. The terminals T1 and T2 allow electrical connection of the battery cell 1. The first terminal T1 can be the positive terminal of the battery cell 1, and the second terminal T2 can be the negative terminal of the battery cell 1. In addition, between the first terminal T1 and the second terminal T2, an exhaust outlet 12 is arranged on the upper side 10.

[0080] In the event of a thermal event (such as thermal runaway) in the battery cell 1, exhaust gas may be ejected from the battery cell 1 through the exhaust outlet 12. A valve (not shown) may be installed upstream of the exhaust outlet 12 within the battery cell 1, wherein the valve is configured to open if the gas pressure within the battery cell exceeds a predetermined value, and otherwise remain closed, for example, if the gas pressure within the battery cell is below a predetermined value. Thus, the exhaust gas may pass through the exhaust valve disposed within the battery cell 1 before being output via the exhaust outlet 12.

[0081] By dividing each of them into a shape similar to Figure 1 A plurality of battery cells of the battery cell 1 shown are stacked together to produce a stack of battery cells 100 , for example, Figure 2 The schematic diagram of the battery cell 1 is shown in FIG. i-1 , 1 i , 1 i+1 , 1 i+2 and 1 i+3 A stack of 100.

[0082] Figure 2 FIG1 shows a schematic top view of a battery module 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The battery module 1000 includes a battery cell stack 100, an exhaust space 40, and a guide 9. As described above, the battery cell stack 100 includes a plurality of battery cells 1 i-1 , 1 i , 1 i+1 , 1 i+2 and 1 i+3 Here and in the following, the index i of a reference mark shall relate to the position of the reference object relative to the stacking direction (i.e. the x-direction). The points above and below the battery cell stack 100 shall schematically indicate that the stack 100 may include more battery cells arranged above and below the shown battery cell and may therefore actually be more than Figure 2 In other words, Figure 2 A portion of a battery cell stack 100 is shown, which includes five adjacent battery cells. However, the complete stack 100 may include more than five battery cells, for example, 10 battery cells, 20 battery cells, 30 battery cells, 40 battery cells, 50 battery cells, or even more battery cells. Since all battery cells 1 i-1 , 1 i , 1 i+1 , 1 i+2 , 1 i+3 The shape of the battery cell 1 is the same, so i-1 , 1 i , 1 i+1 , 1 i+2 , 1 i+3 The corresponding first terminal T 1,i-1 、T 1,i 、T 1,i+1 、T 1,i+2 、T 1,i+3 The terminals are arranged in a first row R1, which is parallel to the x-axis of the coordinate system. i-1 , 1 i , 1 i+1 , 1 i+2 , 1 i+3 The corresponding second terminal T 2,i-1 、T 2,i 、T 2,i+1 、T 2,i+2 、T 2,i+3The second row R2 of terminals is arranged parallel to the x-axis of the coordinate system. i-1 , 1 i , 1 i+1 , 1 i+2 , 1 i+3 Corresponding exhaust outlet 1 2,i-1 , 1 2,i , 1 2,i+1 , 1 2,i+2 , 1 2,i+3 Arranged as row R of exhaust outlets V , the exhaust outlet row R V The depicted battery cell stack 100 may be housed in a housing 110 ( Figure 2 Not shown, Figure 3 In other words, the battery module 1000 may further include a housing 110. Above the battery cell stack 100, the exhaust space 40 is along the battery cell 1 i-1 , 1 i , 1 i+1 , 1 i+2 , 1 i+3 Terminal side 10 i-1 , 10 i , 10 i+1 , 10 i+2 , 10 i+3 extend.

[0083] A guide 9 is arranged on top of the battery cell stack 100. The guide 9 includes a plurality of separators 92 (each separator is Figure 2 In the figure, 92 j-1 , 92 j , 92 j+1 , 92 j+2 denoted) and rear partition 94. Along the y direction (i.e., from Figure 2 drawing plane upward), separator 92 j-1 , 92 j , 92 j+1 , 92 j+2 Each of the separators 92 protrudes from the battery cell stack 100 into the exhaust space 40 and extends perpendicularly to the first direction x. In other words, in the illustrated embodiment of the battery module, the separators 92 j-1 , 92 j , 92 j+1 , 92 j+2 Each of the partitions 92 extends parallel to the yz plane of the coordinate system.

[0084] Separator 92 j-1 , 92 j, 92 j+1 , 92 j+2 Each of the first row R1 of terminals and the row R of exhaust outlets relative to the third direction z V Therefore, in the region A, the exhaust space 40 is subdivided into a plurality of compartments C. j-1 、C j 、C j+1 , Compartment C j-1 、C j 、C j+1 Each of the partitions is formed between a pair of adjacent partitions. For example, between a pair of adjacent partitions 92j and 92 j+1 The jth compartment C is formed between j In addition, in a pair of adjacent partitions 92 j-1 and 92j form the (j-1)th compartment C j-1 , and in a pair of adjacent separators 92 j+1 and 92 j+2 The (j+1)th compartment C is formed between j+1 Since the stack of battery cells 100 can extend further in the x-direction and in the anti-x-direction, the guide 9 can include further spacers (not shown) which are arranged in a corresponding manner above and below the illustrated portion of the guide 9 in the x-direction and in the anti-x-direction. Figure 2 The center is schematically indicated by points above and below the guide 9.

[0085] With respect to the z direction, compartment C j-1 、C j 、C j+1 Each of the partitions is defined by the rear partition 94. Thus, the rear partition 94 is connected to the partition 92 j-1 , 92 j , 92 j+1 , 92 j+2 The left edge of each (about Figure 2 In some embodiments of the battery module 1000, the rear separator 94 and the separator 92 j-1 、92j、92 j+1 , 92 j+2 The connection is airtight and / or liquidtight to prevent the exchange of exhaust gas through the gap in the connection. The rear partition 94 extends along the entire length of the guide 9 in the x-direction parallel to the xy plane of the coordinate system. In the z-direction, the rear partition 94 is arranged between the first row R1 of the terminals and the row R V In the example shown, the rear partition 94 is adjacent to the first terminal T 1,i-1 、T 1,i 、T 1,i+1 、T 1,i+2 、T1,i+3 The front arrangement (relative to Figure 2 to their respective right sides).

[0086] Furthermore, the guide 9 may comprise a cover 96 extending parallel to the xz plane of the coordinate system ( Figure 2 Not shown, as Figure 3 As shown). The cover 96 is arranged in Figure 3 is shown in FIG, which schematically shows the Figure 2 The cross section of the battery module 1000 cut parallel to the i-th battery cell 1 passing through the battery cell stack 100 is i The cover 96 is connected to the partition 92. j-1 , 92 j , 92 j+1 , 92 j+2 and the upper edge of the rear partition 94 (with respect to the orientation of the y-axis). Thus, the cover 96 limits the compartment C in the Y direction. j-1 、C j 、C j+1 In some embodiments of the battery module 1000, the cover 96 is connected to the rear partition 94 and the partition 92. j-1 , 92 j , 92 j+1 , 92 j+2 The connections are each airtight and / or fluid-tight to reduce or prevent the exchange of exhaust gases through gaps in the connections. In the embodiment shown, the cover 96 abuts the top plate 110a of the housing 110. In an alternative embodiment, the cover 96 can be formed by a portion of the top plate 110a in the region A of the guide 9.

[0087] As can be seen from the above, compartment C j-1 、C j 、C j+1 Each of the compartments is shaped substantially as a rectangular parallelepiped box, which is defined on five sides by a pair of adjacent partitions 92 (at its lateral sides), a rear partition 94 (at its rear side), a cover 96 (at its top side), and a battery cell stack 100 (at its bottom side). However, the remaining sides (i.e., the sides facing the z-direction) are unrestricted and therefore remain open. The remaining sides may be the openings of the compartments. That is, the guide 9 may define the openings. Compartment C j-1 、C j 、C j+1 Can have compartment O j-1 , O j , O j+1 Compartment O j-1 , O j , O j+1The opening may be defined between a pair of adjacent dividers. For example, compartment O j The j-th opening is defined by a pair of adjacent partitions 92 j and 92 j+1 In addition, the compartment O j-1 The (j-1)th opening is defined between a pair of adjacent partitions 92 j-1 and 92 j Between, and compartment O j+1 The (j+1)th opening is defined between a pair of adjacent partitions 92 j+1 and 92 j+2 Between. Compartment O j-1 , O j , O j+1 The opening of the battery cell stack 100 faces the third direction z, which is perpendicular to the first direction x and the second direction y (eg, the height direction of the battery cell stack 100). The third direction z may be referred to as the length direction of the terminal side 10. j-1 , O j , O j+1 In the case of thermal runaway, the exhaust gas can be ejected from the battery cell 1 to the battery module outlet 112 (such as Figure 3 shown).

[0088] The guide 9 may extend along the entire length of the battery cell stack 100 (ie, a series of compartments C arranged along the x-direction). j-1 、C j 、C j+1 ). Then, all battery cells 1 i-1 , 1 i , 1 i+1 , 1 i+2 , 1 i+3 Compartment C j-1 、C j 、C j+1 In the embodiment shown, the separator 92 j-1 , 92 j , 92 j+1 , 92 j+2 Each is arranged between two adjacent battery cells. For example, the jth separator 92j is arranged between battery cells 1 i-1 With battery cell 1 i At the boundary between, and the (j+1)th separator 92 j+1 Arranged in battery cell 1 i+2 With battery cell 1 i+3 Therefore, with respect to the x direction, the jth compartment C j Precisely arranged between three adjacent battery cells 1 i , 1i+1 , 1 i+2 This applies correspondingly to the positioning of the other compartments of the guide 9 relative to the position of the terminal side.

[0089] Note that in the embodiment shown, the guides 9 are arranged only in the first row R1 of the terminals and the row R2 of the exhaust outlets with respect to the z direction. V Therefore, the exhaust space 40 is located at the exhaust outlet row R V Between the second row R2 of terminals (or reference Figure 3 , located at the exhaust outlet row R V A gap is maintained in an area B) between the at least one terminal shield 20 .

[0090] from Figure 3 It can be seen that the second terminal T 2,i The terminal shield 20 can be used to shield the exhaust space 40. Each second terminal T 2,i-1 、T 2,i 、T 2,i+1 、T 2,i+2 、T 2,i+3 The terminals of the battery module may be shielded by a separate terminal shield 20. Alternatively, however, the terminal shield 20 may extend along the entire length of the second row R2 of terminals relative to the x-direction so that all second terminals T 2,i-1 、T 2,i 、T 2,i+1 、T 2,i+2 、T 2,i+3 At the same time, it is shielded by the terminal shield 20 .

[0091] At least some parts of the guide 9 may be made of electrically insulating and / or heat-resistant material, such as mica or glass fiber reinforced plastic. j-1 , 92 j , 92 j+1 , 92 j+2 The rear spacer 94 may be made of an electrically insulating and / or heat-resistant material. The cover 96 may also be made of an electrically insulating and / or heat-resistant material. The at least one terminal shield 20 may also be made of an electrically insulating and / or heat-resistant material.

[0092] exist Figure 3 In the embodiment shown, the housing 110 of the battery module 1000 includes a side wall 110b that extends along the entire length of the battery cell stack 100 with respect to the x-direction. i-1 , 1 i , 1 i+1 , 1 i+2 and 1 i+3 The small side surface 18 (at the second terminal T 2,i-1 、T2,i 、T 2,i+1 、T 2,i+2 、T 2,i+3 On one side). In the upper part of the side wall 110b, more precisely, at a position relative to the Y direction between the terminal shield 20 and the top plate 110a of the shell 110, the side wall 110b includes a battery module outlet 112, which serves as an outlet of the battery module, and the exhaust products (gases and particles) can be discharged from the interior of the shell 110 of the battery module to the outside of the battery module 1000 through the battery module outlet 112. The outlet 112 may include a plurality of openings, for example, one opening for each battery cell. Alternatively, the outlet may include one or more openings arranged along the x-direction, each opening extending along the small side faces 18 of several battery cells. For example, the outlet 112 may be a slit extending along the entire side wall 110b.

[0093] In the event of a thermal event such as thermal runaway, exhaust gases are ejected from one or more affected battery cells, and particles (e.g., debris and / or dust) may be carried along with the exhaust gases at relatively high temperatures (up to about 1300° C.). These exhaust products are ejected from the exhaust outlet 12 of the affected battery cell at high pressure and are therefore exhausted at very high velocities. Figure 2 and Figure 3 In this case, the i-th battery cell 1 i The flame symbol at the top is schematically shown. Furthermore, particles (e.g., graphite dust) can be electrically conductive. Therefore, due to their high temperature and electrical properties, other battery cells in the battery cell stack 100 (and, for example, electrical components mounted on their surfaces) can be damaged or even destroyed by contamination and / or deposition of these particles.

[0094] However, in the battery module 1000 according to the present disclosure, the propagation direction of the exhaust products is controlled by the guide member 9 as described above. Therefore, for example, referring to Figure 2 and Figure 3 , from battery cell 1 i Exhaust outlet 12 i (exist Figure 2 and Figure 3 The exhaust gas ejected from the battery cell 1 is in principle i Exhaust outlet 12 i , thereby allowing the exhaust gas to expand (see arrows 3, 3a, 3b schematically indicating some flow directions). However, multiple separators 92 and, for example, adjacent to the battery cell 1 i Exhaust outlet 12 i Separator 92 j , 92j+1 A mechanical barrier to the flow of exhaust products relative to the x-direction is formed in region A of the exhaust space 40. This does not completely prevent the propagation of exhaust products in the x-direction, but it can reduce the propagation of exhaust products in the x-direction.

[0095] Furthermore, due to the lid 96 and the top wall 110a of the battery module housing 110, the propagation of exhaust products in the y-direction is limited to the area between the lid 96 and the top wall 110a. Therefore, the flow of exhaust products occurs primarily parallel to the xz plane of the coordinate system. Flow of exhaust products in the z-direction is possible but is limited by the rear separator 94, completely shielding the exhaust products from the first row R1 of terminals.

[0096] In addition, more exhaust gas flows into compartment C j In the middle, it is already in compartment C j The exhaust gas in is displaced and thus leaves the compartment C substantially in the z direction. j However, since the debris and / or dust carried along with the exhaust gases has a higher weight than the gas molecules, these heavier particles (debris and / or dust) will settle out and a considerable amount of these particles may remain in compartment C1. Figure 2 and Figure 3 is schematically indicated by a mass of particles 6. Thus, in compartment C j Particles that settle in the chamber are no longer able to damage or destroy compartment C. j External battery cells, such as battery cell 1 i-1 or 1 i+3 Therefore, in compartment C j The three battery cells directly below 1 i , 1 i+1 , 1 i+2 may be affected by a battery cell 1 that experiences a thermal event i Expelled debris and / or dust affects only the battery cells.

[0097] Therefore, the geometric structure of the guide member 9 causes the exhaust gas to flow towards the battery module outlet 112 with a flow having a main direction oriented in the z direction, and then the exhaust gas together with the particles still remaining in the gas are discharged to the outside of the battery module housing 110 through the battery module outlet (schematically indicated by arrow 2).

[0098] As described above, the structure of the guide member 9 according to the illustrated embodiment does not prevent the battery cell 1 from i Adjacent battery cell 1 i+1 , 1 i+2 The deposition of particles in the battery cell 1 i+1 , 1 i+2 Also located in Compartment C jOf course, in alternative embodiments, the separator 92 j-1 , 92 j , 92 j+1 , 92 j+2 Can be positioned as Figure 2 In an embodiment, the guide 9 is narrower, so that, for example, exactly one compartment is located above one battery cell. In such an embodiment, the guide 9 can provide an increased protective effect for each battery cell adjacent to the battery cell experiencing thermal runaway. However, the exhaust gases ejected from the affected battery cell leave the battery cell at high pressure and therefore require sufficient space to expand immediately after leaving the battery cell. Therefore, in order to allow for this expansion, it is sometimes advantageous to substantially enlarge the volume of the compartments, for example by selecting the dimensions of each compartment so that, along the x-direction, the distance between adjacent partitions 92 defining the compartments corresponds to the width of more than one battery cell 1 (along the x-direction), for example, to the width of three battery cells, as in the embodiment shown.

[0099] Furthermore, for the same reason of providing sufficient space for the immediate expansion of the ejected exhaust gases, it is sometimes advantageous to choose the size of the compartment in the y direction to be as large as possible, i.e. from the surface of the terminal side 10 of the battery cell 1 to the top wall 110a of the housing 110 of the battery module or at least to the cover 96 arranged in the immediate vicinity of the top wall 110a (see Figure 3 ). Moreover, for the same reasons, it is sometimes advantageous to use a geometry of the guide 9 that leaves a considerable portion of the degassing space 40 above the battery cell stack 100 free. In the embodiment shown, this is achieved by the fact that the guide 9 is only in the area A (between the first row R1 of terminals and the row R V ) but not within region B or extending to region B (at row R of the exhaust outlet V and the second row R2 of terminals / between the terminal shield 20).

[0100] As referenced above Figure 2 and Figure 3 It can be understood from the description that one concept of the present disclosure is to make the subdivided section (compartment) C j-1 and C j+1 With subdivision section (compartment) C j Battery cell 1 i , 1 i+1 , 1 i+2 The exhaust gas particles (such as metal and graphite particles) are shielded away, while in the subdivided segments (compartments) C j-1 and / or C j+1 Ensure sufficient space for exhaust of the monomer.

[0101] The disclosed battery module design takes into account that in the event of thermal runaway, exhaust gases are ejected at high pressure and require a sufficiently large cross-sectional area to expand. However, since the top wall of the battery module housing can be close to the battery cell terminals, a method to provide a sufficiently high cross-sectional area for exhaust gas expansion is to design the separation devices so that they do not extend completely to the battery module outlet, thereby covering the exhaust outlets of the battery cells. This allows the hot exhaust gases to be funneled, providing the required cross-sectional area.

[0102] Reference numerals

[0103] 1 battery cell

[0104] 1 i-1 ,1 i ,1 i+1 ,1 i+2 ,1 i+3 battery cells

[0105] 2 Arrows indicating flow direction

[0106] 3,3a,3b Arrows indicating flow direction

[0107] 6 Clumps of debris and / or dust

[0108] 9 guides

[0109] 10 Terminal side

[0110] 10 i-1 ,10 i ,10 i+1 ,10 i+2 ,10 i+3 Terminal side

[0111] 12 exhaust outlets

[0112] 12 i-1 ,12 i ,12 i+1 ,12 i+2 ,12 i+3 exhaust outlet

[0113] 20-terminal shield

[0114] 18 Side

[0115] 40 Exhaust space

[0116] 92+ dividers

[0117] 92 j-1 ,92 j ,92 j+1 ,92 j+2 separators

[0118] 94 rear divider

[0119] 96 Cover

[0120] 100 battery cells stacked

[0121] 110 housing

[0122] 110a top wall of the housing

[0123] 110b Side wall of the housing

[0124] 112 Battery module export

[0125] 1000 battery modules

[0126] Area A,B

[0127] C j-1 ,C j ,C j+1 compartment

[0128] First row of R1 terminals

[0129] Second row of R2 terminals

[0130] R V Exhaust outlet row

[0131] T 1,i-1 ,T 1,i ,T 1,i+1 ,T 1,i+2 ,T 1,i+3 First terminal

[0132] T 2,i-1 ,T 2,i ,T 2,i+1 ,T 2,i+2 ,T 2,i+3 Second terminal

[0133] O j-1 ,O j ,O j+1 Compartment opening

[0134] x,y,z axes of the Cartesian coordinate system

Claims

1. A battery module comprising: a battery cell stack comprising a plurality of battery cells stacked along a first direction, each of the battery cells having a terminal side facing a second direction, the second direction being non-parallel to the first direction, each of the terminal sides comprising a first terminal, a second terminal, and an exhaust outlet, the first terminal and the second terminal being positioned on a line extending along a third direction, the third direction being non-parallel to the first direction and non-parallel to the second direction; a vent space extending along the battery cell stack adjacent the terminal side, each of the vent outlets opening into the vent space; as well as a guide member, positioned in the exhaust space, wherein the first terminals are arranged in a first row of terminals, the second terminals are arranged in a second row of terminals, and the exhaust outlets are arranged in a row of exhaust outlets, the row of exhaust outlets being arranged between the first row of terminals and the second row of terminals, wherein the guide member includes (i) a plurality of spacers, each of the spacers protruding from the battery cell stack into the exhaust space and extending transversely to the first direction, and (ii) a rear spacer protruding from the battery cell stack into the exhaust space and extending transversely to the third direction, wherein the rear partition is connected to each of the partitions, wherein each of the partitions extends from the rear partition in the third direction, wherein at least one of the exhaust outlets is positioned between a pair of partitions among the plurality of partitions with respect to the first direction, and The guide member defines an opening facing the third direction between the pair of partition members. 2 . The battery module of claim 1 , wherein the rear separator extends continuously between the first row of the terminals and the row of the exhaust outlets. 3 . The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the guide further comprises a cover connected to each of the separator and the rear separator on edges thereof opposite to the battery cell stack.

4. The battery module according to claim 1, further comprising at least one terminal shielding member, The at least one terminal shield spatially separates the second row of terminals from the exhaust space.

5. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: At least two of the exhaust outlets are arranged between the pair of partitions with respect to the first direction. 6 . The battery module according to claim 3 , further comprising a housing, wherein the battery cells are stacked within the housing. 7 . The battery module according to claim 6 , wherein the cover is adjacent to the housing or forms a part of the housing.

8. The battery module of claim 6, wherein the housing comprises at least one battery module outlet configured to pass exhaust products; and in, The at least one battery module outlet is arranged on a side of the housing facing the third direction. 9 . The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the exhaust outlets is arranged in a region of the opening of the exhaust space in the third direction with respect to the third direction. 10 . The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the exhaust space is subdivided into a plurality of compartments, and at least one of the exhaust outlets is arranged to open into an interior of one of the plurality of compartments.

11. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: The guide member is made of at least one of an electrically insulating material and a heat-resistant material.

12. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: At least some of the partitions extend from the rear partition in the third direction to a position between the first row of terminals and the second row of terminals.

13. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: At least one of the separators is disposed between a pair of adjacent battery cells with respect to the first direction.

14. A battery system comprising one or more battery modules according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. A vehicle comprising at least one battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

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