Battery module and battery pack including same

Abstract

The battery module according to the present invention comprises: a cell stack consisting of stacked battery cells; a module case having a vent hole on a bottom plate and accommodating the cell stack; and an exhaust guide member including a main body unit having a physical property of a curved shape capable of being caused by heat, and a needle unit coupled to the main body unit, in which the exhaust guide member may be disposed on the bottom plate such that the needle unit is inserted into the main body unit when a temperature of the main body unit is higher than a predetermined temperature. The body unit is curved and the needle unit faces and contacts the battery cell.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a battery module and a battery pack including the battery module, and more specifically, to a battery module and a battery pack including the battery module that have improved safety against thermal events.

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0029489, filed in Korea on February 29, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Background Technology

[0003] With the significant increase in technological development and demand for various mobile devices, electric vehicles, energy storage systems (ESS), etc., interest and demand for secondary batteries as an energy source have increased rapidly. Although nickel-cadmium or nickel-metal hydride batteries are commonly used as secondary batteries, lithium-ion batteries are now widely used because they offer the advantages of free charging and discharging compared to nickel-based batteries, due to their virtually non-memory effect, very low self-discharge rate, and high energy density.

[0004] These lithium-ion rechargeable batteries typically use lithium-based oxides and carbon materials as the positive and negative electrode active materials, respectively. A lithium-ion rechargeable battery includes: an electrode assembly, wherein a positive electrode plate coated with the positive electrode active material and a negative electrode active material, respectively, are separated by a separator between the positive and negative electrode plates; and a casing, i.e., the battery housing, which seals and houses the electrode assembly and the electrolyte.

[0005] Generally, based on the shape of the casing, secondary batteries can be divided into can-type secondary batteries and pouch-type secondary batteries. In can-type secondary batteries, the electrode assembly is housed in a metal can, while in pouch-type secondary batteries, the electrode assembly is housed in a pouch made of aluminum laminate.

[0006] Currently, the operating voltage of a widely used lithium-ion battery cell is approximately 2.5V to 4.5V. Therefore, in electric vehicles or energy storage devices requiring high capacity and high output, battery modules or packs are configured and used as energy sources by connecting multiple lithium-ion batteries in series and / or parallel. Specifically, to meet the output or capacity requirements of electric vehicles, battery modules or packs comprise a large number of lithium-ion batteries.

[0007] In a battery module or battery pack, for example, in the event of a thermal event, gases or flames can be generated, causing heat to continue to accumulate inside, and the heat can rapidly diffuse between the battery cells (thermal propagation). Therefore, the battery cells may explode in a chain reaction, which could pose a serious risk to the life and property of users.

[0008] When a thermal event occurs, before the heat and pressure inside the battery module increase rapidly, leading to a chain reaction explosion of battery cells or collapse of the battery module, it is necessary to actively release the heat and pressure to the outside of the battery module in order to minimize damage. Summary of the Invention

[0009] Technical issues

[0010] This disclosure aims to address the problems in the related technology, and therefore aims to provide a battery module that can effectively dissipate or alleviate heat and pressure when a thermal event occurs.

[0011] The technical problems sought to be solved by this disclosure are not limited to those described above, and other problems not mentioned above will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art based on the description of the invention below.

[0012] Technical solution

[0013] In one aspect of this disclosure, a battery module is provided, the battery module comprising: a cell stack including stacked battery cells; a module housing having vent holes in a lower plate and configured to receive the cell stack; and a vent guide member including a body portion and a needle portion, the body portion having the property of being able to bend by heat, the needle portion being coupled to the body portion, wherein the vent guide member is disposed on the lower plate such that when the temperature of the body portion rises above a predetermined temperature, the body portion bends and the needle portion faces and contacts the battery cells.

[0014] The main body may include a first metal part and a second metal part made of different metals with different thermal expansion rates and which are vertically overlapped.

[0015] The second metal part may have a higher coefficient of thermal expansion than the first metal part, and the exhaust guide member may be disposed on the lower plate of the module housing such that the second metal part faces the lower plate of the module housing.

[0016] The main body may include a needle insertion hole into which the needle is inserted; and an elastic member disposed in the needle insertion hole and connected to the needle.

[0017] The lower plate of the module housing may include a needle blocking portion configured to compress the elastic member and block the front side of the needle to prevent the needle inserted into the needle insertion hole from protruding.

[0018] The main body may include a rotating shaft portion formed to protrude from the side surface of the main body, and the lower plate of the module housing may have a shaft mounting portion fitted into the rotating shaft portion.

[0019] The lower plate of the module housing may include a groove engraved in a shape corresponding to the main body, and the exhaust guide member may be inserted into the groove.

[0020] The needle can be configured as a plurality of needles, and the spacing between the needles can correspond to the thickness of the battery cell.

[0021] The module housing may include: a top plate configured to cover the upper part of the battery cell stack; a bottom plate configured to cover the lower part of the battery cell stack and formed on the bottom plate; a pair of side plates configured to cover both sides of the battery cell stack respectively; and a pair of end caps configured to cover the front and rear sides of the battery cell stack respectively.

[0022] The battery cell can be a pouch-type battery cell, and the vent holes can be provided at predetermined intervals along the width direction of the base plate. The vent holes can be located at positions that are perpendicular to the cell ladders formed by thermally fusing pouch-shaped sheets in the pouch-type battery cell.

[0023] The exhaust guide member can be arranged alternately with the exhaust hole along the width direction of the base plate on the base plate.

[0024] The battery module may further include: a busbar electrically connected to electrode leads disposed to the battery cells; and a busbar frame configured to support the busbar and having lead slots through which the electrode leads pass, the busbar frame being mounted to the front or rear of the cell stack, and the busbar may include a first busbar and a second busbar arranged to overlap each other, wherein the electrode leads are inserted between the first busbar and the second busbar, and the electrode leads may be compressibly fixed between the first busbar and the second busbar.

[0025] The battery cell may be a pouch-type battery cell, which is stacked in one direction with its wide surface upright. The cell stack may include a plurality of barrier plates, which are inserted between the battery cells at predetermined intervals along the one direction to restrict the movement of heat or gas between the battery cells. Each of the plurality of barrier plates may have a distal end fitted into the busbar frame, such that the battery cells and the vent are divided into a predetermined number.

[0026] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a battery pack including the above-described battery module may also be provided.

[0027] Beneficial effects

[0028] According to this disclosure, a battery module can be provided that can effectively dissipate or alleviate heat and pressure in the event of a thermal event.

[0029] Specifically, by means of the exhaust guiding member according to the present disclosure, a hole is formed in the trigger battery cell showing signs of thermal anomaly, and high-temperature gases, particles, etc. emitted from the trigger battery cell can be discharged to the outside of the module housing through the exhaust hole formed in the lower plate of the module housing.

[0030] In addition, this disclosure may have various other effects, and these effects will be described in the corresponding embodiments, or descriptions of effects that can be easily deduced by those skilled in the art will be omitted. Attached Figure Description

[0031] Figure 1 This is a perspective view schematically showing a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the battery module.

[0033] Figure 3 It is shown Figure 2 A perspective view of the battery cell stack.

[0034] Figure 4 It is shown Figure 2 A diagram of the base plate of the module housing.

[0035] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the main body portion according to an embodiment of the present disclosure and the needle portion partially inserted into the main body portion as an exhaust guide member.

[0036] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing the main body portion as an exhaust guide member and the needle portion protruding from the main body portion according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] Figure 7 It shows along Figure 6 A schematic cross-sectional view of the exhaust guide component taken from line A-A'.

[0038] Figure 8 This is an enlarged view showing a portion of the base plate according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] Figure 9 It shows that it is installed in Figure 8 A view of the exhaust guide component on the base plate.

[0040] Figure 10 This is a view showing the pre-operation state of the exhaust guide member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] Figure 11 This is a view showing the operating state of the exhaust guide member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the assembly of a cell stack and busbar frame according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] Figure 13 It is shown Figure 12 A schematic diagram of the busbar frame that connects to the frame cover and the compression busbar.

[0044] Figure 14 This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a battery cell stack and busbar frame assembled together according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a vehicle including a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0046] Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Before description, it should be understood that the terminology used in the specification and appended claims should not be construed as limited to its general and dictionary meaning, but rather interpreted based on the meaning and concepts corresponding to the technical aspects of the present disclosure, on the basis of the principle that allows the inventors to appropriately define the terminology for best interpretation. Therefore, the description presented herein is merely a preferred example for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure; thus, it should be understood that other equivalents and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0047] For ease of explanation and clarification, the dimensions of the individual elements or specific portions of each element shown in the accompanying drawings have been exaggerated, omitted, or simplified. Therefore, the dimensions of the individual elements do not perfectly reflect their actual dimensions. Descriptions of known functions or configurations that may obscure the subject matter of this disclosure will be omitted.

[0048] Figure 1 This is a perspective view schematically illustrating a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1 Exploded perspective view of the battery module in the image. Figure 3 It is shown Figure 2 A perspective view of the battery cell stack, and Figure 4 It is shown Figure 2 A diagram of the base plate of the module housing.

[0049] Reference Figures 1 to 4 According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the battery module 10 includes a cell stack 100 having stacked battery cells 110, a module housing 200 having an exhaust port 201 in the lower plate and housing the cell stack 100, and an exhaust guide member 300 that operates when the temperature exceeds a certain level.

[0050] Cell stack 100 can be an assembly of battery cell 110, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, multiple battery cells 110 are upright and stacked in the horizontal direction (X direction). In this embodiment, the battery cell 110 is a pouch-type battery cell 110. The pouch-type battery cell 110 may include an electrode assembly, an electrolyte, a pouch-shaped housing for hermetically containing the electrode assembly and the electrolyte, and electrode leads 111.

[0051] The pouch-like housing may include two pouch-like sheets, at least one of which may have an electrode assembly receiving groove formed therein. The electrode assembly and electrolyte are housed within the electrode assembly receiving groove, which is covered by another pouch-like sheet, and the edges of the two pouch-like sheets are thermally fused together. In this pouch-type battery cell 110, the portion where the pouch-like sheets are thermally fused together to seal is referred to as a sealing portion. One end of an electrode lead 111 is connected to the electrode assembly inside the pouch-like housing, and the other end protrudes outside the pouch-like housing; when the pouch-like sheets are thermally fused together, the portion between one end and the other end is secured to the sealing portion. The portion of the electrode lead 111 exposed outside the pouch-like housing can serve as an electrode terminal of the pouch-type battery cell 110.

[0052] For reference, a pouch-type battery cell 110 encapsulating an electrode assembly with two pouch-shaped sheets has four sealing portions. Here, the four sealing portions refer to the front and rear sealing portions protruding from the electrode leads 111, and two side sealing portions extending along the length of the electrode assembly. Simultaneously, a pouch-type battery cell 110 encapsulating an electrode assembly by folding one pouch-shaped sheet has three sealing portions. Here, the three sealing portions refer to the front and rear sealing portions protruding from the electrode leads 111, and one side sealing portion. Specifically, in the pouch-type battery cell 110, the front and rear sealing portions are referred to as cell terraces 112.

[0053] The cell stack 100 may also include a barrier plate 120 disposed between the battery cells 110. The barrier plate 120 may be formed into a plate shape using a material with excellent heat insulation and fire resistance. The barrier plate 120 may be used to block heat transfer between the battery cells 110 and to absorb pressure when the battery cells 110 expand.

[0054] Module housing 200 may include a housing body and a pair of end caps 250, 260, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown.

[0055] The main body of the housing may include a top plate 210 covering the upper part of the battery cell stack 100, a bottom plate 220 covering the lower part of the battery cell stack 100, and a pair of side plates 230, 240 covering the two sides of the battery cell stack 100 respectively.

[0056] The base plate 220 and the pair of side plates 230, 240 can be integrally formed. The integrally formed base plate 220 and the pair of side plates 230, 240 are also referred to as a U-shaped frame. The U-shaped frame and the top plate 210 can be connected by bolts, welding, adhesive, etc. However, unlike this embodiment, the top plate 210, base plate 220, and the pair of side plates 230, 240 can be integrally formed into a rectangular tube shape. End caps 250, 260 can be attached to the open front and rear sides of the housing body.

[0057] In this embodiment, the top plate 210 may have terminal through-holes through which the terminal busbars of the battery module 10 can be pulled upward. The terminal busbars include a positive terminal busbar 410a and a negative terminal busbar 410b. However, unlike this embodiment, the terminal busbars may be designed to face forward by passing through, for example, end caps 250, 260.

[0058] The lower plate of the module housing 200 can be integrally formed with the base plate 220. A thermal resin TR can be applied to the upper surface of the base plate 220, and the cell stack 100 can be mounted on the thermal resin TR. In this case, the lower edge of the battery cell 110 can contact the thermal resin TR. This increases the thermal conductivity and stability between the battery cell 110 and the base plate 220. Specifically, the heat generated from each battery cell 110 during charging and discharging can be effectively transferred to the base plate 220 and dissipated through the thermal resin TR. Although not shown, if a heat sink (not shown) is additionally mounted on the lower surface of the base plate 220, the heat from the battery cell 110 can be absorbed more quickly.

[0059] If expansion occurs due to the generation of a large amount of gas during overcharging, and if this situation worsens, the bonding strength of the thermally fused seal in the pouch cell 110 may decrease, potentially causing the corresponding part to rupture and gas to escape. In this case, the cell ladder 112 within the seal of the pouch cell 110 has electrode leads 111 inserted therein; therefore, the cell ladder 112 generates relatively more heat and has lower bonding strength than other parts. Consequently, when the internal pressure increases, the cell ladder 112 of the pouch cell 110 is most likely to be damaged.

[0060] Therefore, in the battery module 10 according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the vent 201 is formed at two edge regions of the base plate 220 that are vertically corresponding to the cell ladder 112, so that the gas emitted when the cell ladder 112 is damaged can be immediately discharged to the outside of the battery module 10.

[0061] Specifically, such as Figure 2 or Figure 4 As shown, according to this embodiment, the vent holes 201 can be provided at predetermined intervals along the width direction (X direction) of the base plate 220. Furthermore, when the cell stack 100 is housed in the module housing 200, the vent holes 201 can be provided at positions vertically corresponding to the cell ladders 112 of the pouch-type battery cell 110. In this embodiment, the pouch-type battery cell 110 has cell ladders 112 on both its front and rear sides. The vent holes 201 can be provided on the front and rear sides of the base plate 220, respectively, to correspond to the cell ladders 112 of the pouch-type battery cell 110.

[0062] In other words, multiple vent holes 201 can be provided along the same direction as the stacking direction of the pouch cell 110. In addition, multiple vent holes 201 can be provided at positions adjacent to the front and rear sealing portions of the pouch cell 110 in the base plate 220.

[0063] The vent 201 serves to prevent a pressure difference between the inside and outside of the module housing 200 under normal conditions. Furthermore, in the event of a thermal event, the vent 201 releases high-temperature gases from the battery cell 110 to the outside, thereby preventing excessive heat buildup inside the battery module 10 and preventing a rapid increase in internal pressure.

[0064] In particular, according to Figure 2 or Figure 4 In this implementation, when high-temperature gases or the like are discharged from the trigger battery cell 110 where a thermal event has occurred, the high-temperature gases or the like are guided and discharged downwards through the vent 201 within the battery cell 110, rather than diffusing into the module housing 200. In this case, significant heat damage to other battery cells 110 adjacent to the trigger battery cell 110 can be prevented. Furthermore, a large amount of gas can be discharged to the outside of the battery module 10 more quickly, thereby preventing a rapid increase in the internal pressure of the battery module 10.

[0065] Meanwhile, the battery module 10 according to this disclosure includes not only an exhaust port 201, but also an exhaust guide member 300 as a means for forming a hole in the battery cell 110 to release gas from the battery cell 110 and relieve internal pressure in the event of a thermal event.

[0066] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the exhaust guide member 300 may include a main body 310 and a needle portion 320 connected to the main body 310.

[0067] The main body 310 can be configured to allow its shape to bend due to heat. In this embodiment, the main body 310 may include a first metal portion 311 and a second metal portion 312 made of different metals with different coefficients of thermal expansion and stacked vertically to form a layered structure. The first metal portion 311 and the second metal portion 312 may be mechanically fastened (e.g., welded or riveted) to a single body.

[0068] For example, steel can be used as the first metal part 311, and copper or brass can be used as the second metal part 312. Copper or brass is a metal with a higher coefficient of thermal expansion than steel. In other words, the second metal part 312 is a metal with a higher coefficient of thermal expansion than the first metal part 311. In this way, when the main body 310 is made of different metals with different coefficients of thermal expansion, the second metal part 312 expands more than the first metal part 311 when heat is applied. However, since the first metal part 311 and the second metal part 312 are firmly connected to each other, the main body 310 can be bent toward the first metal part 311.

[0069] In this embodiment, the main body 310 may further include a needle insertion hole 313 therein and an elastic member 314 disposed inside the needle insertion hole 313 and connected at one end to the inside of the needle insertion hole 313 and at the other end to the needle part 320.

[0070] For example, such as Figure 7 As shown, the needle insertion hole 313 can be defined as a space or channel provided inside the main body 310, allowing the needle 320 to be inserted into the main body 310. Additionally, the elastic member 314 can be defined as a means of providing force, allowing the needle 320 to elastically protrude from the interior of the main body 310 to the exterior. For example, a spring can be used as the elastic member 314.

[0071] The main body 310 may also include a rotating shaft portion 315 protruding from its side surface. The rotating shaft portion 315 is a portion fitted into a shaft mounting portion 225 provided on the lower plate of the module housing 200, which will be explained later. The exhaust guide member 300 may be mounted on the lower plate of the module housing 200 so that it can rotate about the rotating shaft portion 315.

[0072] The needle portion 320 may have a nail or needle-shaped end as a means for forming a hole in the battery cell 110. Multiple needle portions 320 may be provided, and the spacing between the needle portions 320 may be configured to correspond to the thickness of the battery cell 110.

[0073] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the needle portion 320 may include a first needle portion 321 and a second needle portion 322, which are connected in a manner protruding from the main body portion 310 and spaced apart from each other by approximately the thickness of the battery cell 110. As described later, two adjacent different battery cells 110 can be pierced by contacting the first needle portion 321 and the second needle portion 322.

[0074] In this embodiment, the exhaust guide member 300 can be provided on the lower plate of the module housing 200, such that the second metal part 312 faces the lower plate of the module housing 200. Furthermore, the exhaust guide member 300 can be alternately provided with the aforementioned exhaust hole 201 along the width direction of the base plate 220 on the lower plate (i.e., the base plate 220) of the module housing 200. Additionally, the exhaust guide member 300 can be provided adjacent to the front sealing portion or the rear sealing portion of the battery cell 110.

[0075] When the exhaust guide member 300 receives heat from the base plate 220 or its temperature rises above a certain temperature due to the influence of high-temperature particles or flames, the main body 310 bends relative to the lower plate at a predetermined angle or greater and faces the battery cell 110. At this time, the needle 320 contacts the battery cell 110, so that a hole can be formed in the battery cell 110.

[0076] In the following text, reference will be made to Figures 8 to 11 The following describes in more detail an installation example and an operation example of the exhaust guide member 300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the following text, the lower plate of the module housing 200 refers to the aforementioned base plate 220.

[0077] First, refer to Figure 8 According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the lower plate of the module housing 200 may further include a groove 221, a needle blocking portion 223, and a shaft mounting portion 225.

[0078] The groove 221 can be provided in an engraved shape corresponding to the main body 310 of the exhaust guide member 300. The groove 221 can be provided between the exhaust holes 201. The exhaust guide member 300 can be inserted into the groove 221. At this time, the exhaust guide member 300 is inserted into the groove 221, such that the second metal portion 312 of the first metal portion 311 and the second metal portion 312 of the main body 310 is positioned downward. By forming the groove 221 in the lower plate of the module housing 200 in this way, the exhaust guide member 300 can be easily installed in the correct position, and movement of the exhaust guide member 300 can be suppressed.

[0079] Needle blocking part 223 (see Figure 6It serves to block the front side of the needle part 320 to prevent the needle part 320 inserted into the needle insertion hole 313 of the main body part 310 from protruding from the needle insertion hole 313.

[0080] like Figure 9 As shown, with the needle portion 320 inserted into the interior of the main body portion 310, the venting guide member 300 can be arranged in the groove 221. The needle blocking portion 223 can be provided at the end of the groove 221 facing the battery cell 110 or at a position slightly spaced from the groove 221, and can be formed to be higher than the needle portion 320 of the venting guide member 300 installed in the groove 221. The lower plate of the module housing 200 can have a step. That is, the lower plate of the module housing 200 can have a first layer S1 on which the venting guide member 300 is arranged and a second layer S2 on which the battery cell 110 is arranged, and the second layer S2 can be set to be higher than the first layer S1. In this case, the stepped surface between the first layer S1 and the second layer S2 can be used as the needle blocking portion 223.

[0081] The needle stop 223 can be formed as a curved surface. When the main body 310 bends upward in the groove 221 due to heat, the needle 320 can be guided along the curved surface of the needle stop 223. In this case, the needle 320 can protrude from the main body 310 toward the battery cell 110 more smoothly than if the needle stop 223 were flat. In other words, when the needle stop 223 is flat, the friction between the end of the needle 320 and the needle stop 223 increases, which may hinder the upward bending of the main body 310 and may damage the end of the needle 320. However, since the curved needle stop 223 has relatively small friction with the end of the needle 320, the above-mentioned problem may not occur.

[0082] The shaft mounting portion 225 may have a mounting hole into which the rotating shaft portion 315 of the exhaust guide member 300 can be mounted, such as Figure 8 As shown, it can have a structure that protrudes upward from the side surface of the groove 221. However, unlike this embodiment, if the depth of the groove 221 is deep enough to fully insert the exhaust guide member 300, the shaft mounting portion 225 can be provided on the side surface of the groove 221.

[0083] The rotating shaft portions 315 of the exhaust guide member 300 can be provided one after another on each side of the main body portion 310. Two shaft mounting portions 225 can be provided to correspond to the two rotating shaft portions 315 of the exhaust guide member 300. For example... Figure 9As shown, the exhaust guide member 300 can be installed in the groove 221 with the two rotating shaft portions 315 assembled into the two shaft mounting portions 225. In this case, even if an external force is applied, the exhaust guide member 300 can be stably positioned in the groove 221 without separating. In addition, when the main body portion 310 bends due to heat, the exhaust guide member 300 can rotate about the rotating shaft portion 315, which serves as the axis.

[0084] like Figure 10 As shown, the exhaust guide member 300 can be mounted on the lower plate of the module housing 200 having the above-described structure. According to this embodiment, when a thermal event such as ignition occurs inside the battery module 10, the exhaust guide member 300... Figure 11 The operation is performed to form a hole in the battery cell 110, thereby causing high-temperature gases and the like to be discharged from the battery cell 110. For example, when the main body 310 receives heat, since the thermal expansion rate of the second metal part 312 is greater than that of the first metal part 311 as described above, the main body 310 bends upward, and at this time, the needle part 320 inserted into the main body 310 protrudes toward the main body 113 of the battery cell 110, so that a hole can be formed in the battery cell 110. In particular, the exhaust guide member 300 according to this embodiment is configured to form a hole in the main body 113 or sealing part of the battery cell 110 near the exhaust port 201, so that high-temperature gases and the like can be guided and discharged to the outside of the battery module 10 more smoothly and quickly.

[0085] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the assembly of a cell stack and busbar frame according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 13 It is shown Figure 12 A schematic diagram of the busbar frame connecting the center frame cover and the compression busbar, and Figure 14 This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a battery cell stack and busbar frame assembled together according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0086] Reference Figure 2 and Figures 12 to 14 According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the battery module 10 may further include a plurality of busbars electrically connected to electrode leads 111 disposed in the battery cell 110, a busbar frame 400, a frame cover 500, and a tight contact cover 700.

[0087] Busbars can be made of conductive metals such as copper or aluminum and are supplied in the form of bars.

[0088] The busbar frame 400 can be provided in the shape of a plate supporting the busbar and can cover the front and rear of the cell stack 100 respectively. Here, the busbar frame 400 can be made of an electrically insulating material such as plastic. In addition, the busbar frame 400 can have a lead groove 420 through which the electrode leads 111 can pass. The electrode leads 111 of the battery cell 110 can pass through the lead groove 420 and be attached to the busbar 410 in a predetermined pattern.

[0089] Specifically, the battery module 10 of this embodiment is configured such that the electrode leads 111 are fixed to the busbar by compressing the electrode leads 111 onto the busbar instead of soldering them. Therefore, the assembly time of the battery module 10 can be shortened, and the assembly process can be performed more easily.

[0090] Specifically, the busbar according to the embodiments of this disclosure includes a first busbar 410 and a second busbar 600. (See also...) Figure 12 and Figure 13 The first busbar 410 and the second busbar 600 can overlap with the electrode lead 111 inserted therebetween. Furthermore, the electrode lead 111 can be compressively fixed between the first busbar 410 and the second busbar 600. In this case, the first busbar 410 and the second busbar 600 can be securely connected using fastening members 800 such as bolts.

[0091] The frame cover 500 is provided in the form of a pad made of a material with low thermal conductivity and excellent heat resistance (such as silicone, aerogel, or mica), and can be connected to face the busbar frame 400, as shown below. Figure 13 As shown. The frame cover 500 may include a plurality of cover plates 510. The cover plates 510 may be configured to correspond to the partition surfaces of the busbar frame 400, which are separated by a barrier 430 protruding from the busbar frame 400 and the distal end 121 of the barrier plate 120, which will be explained later. Here, the barrier 430 and the distal end 121 of the barrier plate 120 can serve to prevent short circuits between the electrode leads 111.

[0092] When the frame cover 500 is attached to the busbar frame 400, the lead slots 420 of the busbar frame 400 can be covered. In this configuration, in the event of a thermal event, high-temperature gases or flames may not leak through the lead slots 420 to the front or rear of the cell stack 100.

[0093] Electrode leads 111 can be bent according to a predetermined pattern and arranged on the front surface of the corresponding first busbar 410, and then the frame cover 500 can be attached to the busbar frame 400. Here, the frame cover 500 has a busbar insertion hole H. The second busbar 600 can be configured to be connected to the first busbar 410 through the busbar insertion hole H, wherein the electrode leads 111 are inserted therein.

[0094] The tight contact cover 700 is a component used to make the frame cover 500 in tight contact with the busbar frame 400 and also to make the second busbar 600 in tight contact with the electrode lead 111 and the first busbar 410.

[0095] like Figure 13 As shown, the tight contact cover 700 may include a plurality of tight contact plates 710. The tight contact plates 710 are arranged in a number corresponding to the busbars, and the tight contact plates 710 can be connected to each other via each corresponding busbar and fastening member 800 to secure them together. Furthermore, the tight contact plates 710 may be attached between the distal end 121 of the barrier plate 120 passing through the busbar frame 400 and the barrier 430 protruding from the busbar frame 400. The tight contact plates 710 may be made of a material with high mechanical rigidity and flame-retardant properties. For example, the tight contact plates 710 may be made of an insulating rigid material with a high melting point (e.g., SUS) or a rigid material with fire-resistant and insulating properties.

[0096] As described above, the cell stack 100 according to embodiments of the present disclosure may include a plurality of barrier plates 120 inserted at predetermined intervals along one direction between the battery cells 110 to restrict the movement of heat or gas between the battery cells 110.

[0097] The distal end 121 of each of the plurality of barrier plates 120 can be fitted into the busbar frame 400, such that the battery cells 110 and the vent 201 are divided into a predetermined number, such as Figure 13 and Figure 14 As shown.

[0098] The barrier 120 may be provided in the form of a compressible pad made of a material with excellent heat resistance and / or fire resistance (e.g., silicone, aerogel, mica, etc.).

[0099] like Figure 14 As shown, the barrier plate 120 can perform a thermal barrier function, which blocks the spread of heat (e.g., flame) generated from the ignited battery cell 110 in the stacking direction of the battery cells 110. Therefore, heat propagation to adjacent battery cells 110 can be minimized. The barrier plate 120 not only blocks heat but also blocks high-temperature gases, flames, ejecta, etc., generated from the battery cells 110. Therefore, the barrier member can separate or isolate the battery cells 110 to prevent the spread of flames, etc., between the battery cells 110.

[0100] Furthermore, the battery pack according to this disclosure may include one or more of the aforementioned battery modules 10. The battery pack according to this disclosure may also include a main BMS (Battery Management System) for integrated control of charging and discharging of at least one battery module 10, a current sensor, a fuse, and a battery pack housing for accommodating the aforementioned components.

[0101] Reference Figure 15 According to this disclosure, the battery pack 2 can be used as a driving energy source for an electric vehicle. That is, the battery pack 2 can be used as electrical energy to provide driving power to the motor to operate the vehicle. The battery pack 2 can be charged or discharged by an inverter depending on the operation of the motor and / or internal combustion engine. The battery pack 2 can be charged by a regenerative charging device combined with a brake. The battery pack 2 can be electrically connected to the motor of the vehicle 1 via an inverter.

[0102] As described above, although this disclosure has been described with reference to limited embodiments and drawings, this disclosure is not limited thereto, and various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the technical concept of this disclosure and the equivalents of the claims described below, which will be appreciated by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains.

[0103] Furthermore, although terms indicating directions such as up, down, left, and right are used in this specification, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these terms are merely for ease of interpretation and may vary depending on the position of the target object or the observer's position.

Claims

1.A battery module comprising: a cell stack including stacked battery cells; a module case having an exhaust hole in a lower plate and configured to accommodate the cell stack; and an exhaust guide member including a main body portion having a property of being bendable by heat and a needle portion coupled to the main body portion, wherein the exhaust guide member is disposed on the lower plate such that, when a temperature of the main body portion increases above a predetermined temperature, the main body portion is bent and the needle portion faces and contacts the battery cells. 2.The battery module of claim 1, the main body portion includes a first metal portion and a second metal portion made of different metals having different thermal expansion rates and vertically overlapped. wherein 3.The battery module of claim 2, the second metal portion has a higher thermal expansion rate than the first metal portion, and wherein wherein the exhaust guide member is disposed on the lower plate of the module case such that the second metal portion faces the lower plate of the module case. 4.The battery module of claim 1, the main body portion includes a needle insertion hole into which the needle portion is inserted, and an elastic member disposed in the needle insertion hole and coupled to the needle portion. wherein 5.The battery module of claim 4, the lower plate of the module case includes a needle blocking portion configured to compress the elastic member and block a front side of the needle portion to prevent the needle portion inserted into the needle insertion hole from protruding. wherein 6.The battery module of claim 1, the main body portion includes a rotation shaft portion formed to protrude on a side surface of the main body portion, wherein, wherein the lower plate of the module case has a shaft mounting portion fitted into the rotation shaft portion. 7.The battery module of claim 1, the lower plate of the module case includes a groove undercut in a shape corresponding to the main body portion, and wherein wherein the exhaust guide member is inserted into the groove. 8.The battery module of claim 1, the needle portion is provided as a plurality of needle portions, and a spacing between the needle portions corresponds to a thickness of the battery cells. wherein 9.The battery module of claim 1, the module case includes: wherein, a top plate configured to cover an upper portion of the cell stack; a bottom plate configured to cover a lower portion of the cell stack and formed on the lower plate; a pair of side plates configured to cover both sides of the cell stack, respectively; and a pair of end covers configured to cover a front side and a rear side of the cell stack, respectively. 10.The battery module of claim 9, the battery cells are pouch-type battery cells, wherein, wherein the exhaust holes are disposed at predetermined intervals along a width direction of the bottom plate, and wherein the exhaust holes are disposed at positions vertically corresponding to cell steps formed by heat fusion of a pouch-shaped sheet in the pouch-type battery cells. 11.The battery module of claim 10, ​ wherein The exhaust gas guide members are alternately arranged on the bottom plate in the width direction of the bottom plate with the exhaust holes. 12.The battery module of claim 1, further comprising: bus bars electrically connected with electrode leads provided to the battery cells; and a bus bar frame configured to support the bus bars and having lead slots through which the electrode leads pass, the bus bar frame being mounted to a front or rear of the cell stack, wherein the bus bars include first and second bus bars arranged to overlap each other with the electrode leads interposed therebetween and compressively secured therebetween. 13.The battery module of claim 12, wherein the battery cells are pouch-type battery cells stacked in one direction in a state in which wide surfaces of the pouch-type battery cells are upright, wherein the cell stack includes a plurality of barrier plates interposed between the battery cells at predetermined intervals along the one direction to limit movement of heat or gas between the battery cells, and wherein each of the plurality of barrier plates has a distal end fitted into the bus bar frame such that the battery cells and the exhaust holes are divided into a predetermined number. 14.A battery pack including the battery module of any one of claims 1 to 13.

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