Battery pack and vehicle including the same
By introducing cooling channels and blocking units into the battery pack, and using the repulsive force of electromagnets and magnets to seal the cooling channels, combined with fuse control of current, the problem of rapid heat propagation when the battery module catches fire is solved, thus improving the fire safety of the battery pack.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202580003889.5
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-05-03
- Filing Date
- 2025-04-07
- Publication Date
- 2026-02-27
AI Technical Summary
When a battery module catches fire, the heat from the existing battery pack can spread rapidly, causing the fire to spread, and there is a lack of effective fire safety measures.
A battery pack structure was designed, including a cooling channel, a crossbeam, and a cooling path blocking unit. Through the cooperation of an electromagnet and a magnetic body, the blocking block component seals the cooling channel when the battery module catches fire, preventing heat energy propagation. Combined with a fuse unit, the current is cut off to control the thermal event.
It effectively delays and suppresses the spread of heat within the battery pack, enhances fire safety, prevents the temperature of the cooling medium from rising, and improves the cooling efficiency of other battery modules.
Smart Images

Figure CN121586958A_ABST
Abstract
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The disclosure relates to a battery pack, and more particularly, to a battery pack capable of delaying or inhibiting the propagation of thermal energy of a battery module in which a thermal event occurs within the battery pack.
[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0059288, filed on May 3, 2024, in Korea, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND
[0003] Secondary batteries having high applicability according to product groups and electrical characteristics such as high energy density are widely used not only in portable devices but also in electric vehicles (EVs) or hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) driven by electric power sources. Secondary batteries are attracting attention as new energy for environmental friendliness and energy efficiency enhancement, not only because they can greatly reduce the use of fossil fuels, but also because they do not generate any byproducts from energy use.
[0004] The types of secondary batteries widely used at present include lithium-ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-hydrogen batteries, and nickel-zinc batteries. When a high output voltage is required, a plurality of battery cells are connected in series to form a battery module or a battery pack. In addition, a plurality of battery cells are connected in parallel to form a battery module or a battery pack in order to increase the charge / discharge capacity. Accordingly, the number of battery cells included in the battery module or the battery pack can be variously set according to the required output voltage or charge / discharge capacity.
[0005] In general, the operating voltage of a secondary battery is about 2.5 V to 4.5 V. Therefore, for electric vehicles or power storage systems requiring large capacity and high output, in which a plurality of secondary batteries are connected in series and / or in parallel, a battery module in which the battery cells are connected in series and / or in parallel, and a battery pack in which the battery modules are connected in series and / or in parallel are configured and used as an energy source.
[0006] Meanwhile, the battery pack has recently been designed to accommodate as many battery modules as possible, the battery modules including as many secondary batteries as possible in order to improve the energy density. The battery pack is criticized for its low fire safety because if one of the battery modules catches fire, thermal energy can quickly propagate, easily causing a chain reaction to other battery modules.
[0007] Therefore, in the art, it is an important task to provide a method of delaying or inhibiting the propagation of thermal energy between battery modules within a battery pack in order to cope with the problem of the battery modules catching fire when designing the battery pack. SUMMARY
[0008] TECHNICAL PROBLEM
[0009] The disclosure is designed to solve problems of the related art, and thus the disclosure is directed to providing a battery pack having enhanced fire safety compared to conventional technology by delaying or inhibiting the spread of thermal energy generated by a battery module on fire within the battery pack.
[0010] The technical problems that the disclosure attempts to solve are not limited to the above problems, and those skilled in the art will clearly understand other problems not mentioned above from the description of the present invention described below.
[0011] Technical solutions
[0012] In one aspect of the disclosure, a battery pack includes a plurality of battery modules; a battery pack case configured to accommodate the plurality of battery modules therein; a cooling passage provided inside a bottom plate of the battery pack case; a cross beam configured to form a wall portion between the battery modules such that the battery modules are arranged in separate spaces, respectively; and a cooling path blocking unit configured to selectively block the cooling passage located below a certain battery module among the battery modules when a thermal event occurs in the certain battery module.
[0013] The cooling path blocking unit can include a blocking block member having an electromagnet arranged inside the cross beam and electrically connected to each of the battery modules; and a magnetic body provided inside the bottom plate of the battery pack case and disposed to face the electromagnet with the cooling passage interposed therebetween, such that a repulsive force is applied, and when the thermal event occurs in the certain battery module, a supply of an electric current to the electromagnet can be cut off, such that the blocking block member falls and closes at least a portion of the cooling passage flowing into the certain battery module.
[0014] The fuse unit can be coupled with a cable connecting the certain battery module and the blocking block member to block the flow of an electric current based on a predetermined temperature or a signal.
[0015] The fuse unit can be a thermal fuse.
[0016] The blocking block member can include a weight balancing member provided on an upper portion of the electromagnet.
[0017] The weight balancing member can include a heat insulating material.
[0018] The cooling passage can include a main passage having a cooling medium inlet and a cooling medium outlet communicating with the outside of the battery pack case, branch passages branched from the main passage and passing through lower portions of the corresponding cross beams, respectively, independent module cooling passages provided to pass through lower regions of each of the corresponding battery modules from each of the branch passages, and connection passages configured to connect the branch passages and the main passage.
[0019] The cooling path blocking unit can be configured to block the branch passage connected to the independent module cooling passage passing through the lower region of the certain battery module.
[0020] The battery module can include a plurality of battery cells, and a module case accommodating the plurality of battery cells, and the module case can include at least one exhaust hole in a top plate covering upper portions of the battery cells.
[0021] The battery pack case can include at least one gas exhaust hole in an outer wall.
[0022] In another aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle including the above-described battery pack is provided.
[0023] Advantageous Effects
[0024] According to the present disclosure, a battery pack having enhanced fire safety compared to conventional technology can be provided by delaying or inhibiting the propagation of thermal energy generated from a battery module on fire within the battery pack.
[0025] In particular, the battery pack according to the present disclosure is configured to prevent an increase in the temperature of a cooling medium due to heat generated from a battery module on fire, and to enhance cooling of other battery modules, thereby delaying or inhibiting heat accumulation within the battery pack.
[0026] Effects obtainable from the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned effects and other effects not mentioned above will be clearly understood by persons skilled in the art from the description of the present disclosure as follows. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0027] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0028] Figure 2 FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view illustrating the battery pack of Figure 1 FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a bottom plate of a battery pack case according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0029] Figure 3 FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a bottom plate of a battery pack case according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0030] Figure 4This is a diagram showing a battery pack tray according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the battery pack tray is cut to show the blocking block members inside the crossbeam.
[0031] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0032] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A magnified view of a portion of the image.
[0033] Figure 7 It corresponds to Figure 5 The diagram shows an example of the operation of the blocking block component.
[0034] Figure 8 This is a diagram used to explain the flow of the cooling medium when a battery module in a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure catches fire.
[0035] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a vehicle including a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation
[0036] 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 or dictionary meaning, but rather is interpreted according to the meaning and concept corresponding to the technical aspects of the present disclosure, based on the principle that inventors are allowed to appropriately define terms for best interpretation. Therefore, the description presented herein is merely a preferred example for illustrative purposes 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.
[0037] Furthermore, when interpreting this disclosure, if a detailed description of a relevant known structure or function is deemed likely to obscure the essential points of this disclosure, such a detailed description will be omitted.
[0038] Since the embodiments of this disclosure are provided to explain the disclosure more fully to those skilled in the art, the shapes and dimensions of the components in the drawings may be exaggerated, omitted, or shown schematically for clarity. Therefore, the dimensions or ratios of each component do not perfectly reflect the actual dimensions or ratios.
[0039] Figure 1 This is a schematic perspective view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1 A partially exploded 3D view of the battery pack. Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view showing the base plate of the battery pack housing according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4is a view showing a battery pack tray according to an embodiment of the disclosure, in which the battery pack tray is cut open to show blocking block members inside cross beams, and Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0040] As Figures 1 to 5 shown, a battery pack 10 according to an embodiment of the disclosure can include a plurality of battery modules 100, a battery pack case 200, a cooling passage 300, and a cooling path blocking unit 400.
[0041] The battery module 100 can include a plurality of battery cells 110 and a module case accommodating the battery cells 110. Here, the battery cell 110 refers to a secondary battery including an electrode assembly, an electrolyte, and a battery case, and can be a secondary battery of any shape such as, but not limited to, a pouch shape, a cylindrical shape, or a rectangular shape. The module case has an internal space capable of accommodating the battery cells 110, and can be made of a metal material (e.g., steel) or a non-metal material having high rigidity so as to protect the battery cells 110 from external impacts. In addition, the module case can be configured to have an exhaust hole 123 in at least one side thereof.
[0042] The battery module 100 according to the embodiment can include at least one exhaust hole 123 in a top plate 121 covering an upper portion of the battery cells 110. In the battery module 100, when the battery cells 110 therein catch fire, gas can be discharged to the outside of the module case through the exhaust hole 123.
[0043] The battery pack case 200 can be configured to accommodate a plurality of battery modules 100. For example, the battery pack case 200 can include a battery pack tray 210 and a battery pack cover 220, as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 .
[0044] The battery pack tray 210 can have partitioned spaces therein, and the battery modules 100 can be arranged in the partitioned spaces, respectively, and the battery pack tray 210 can be configured to have a box shape with an open top. Also, the battery pack cover 220 can cover the open top of the battery pack tray 210, and can be configured to be coupled with the battery pack tray 210.
[0045] More specifically, as shown in Figure 2 , the battery pack tray 210 can include a bottom plate 211 supporting the battery modules 100 at the bottom portions of the battery modules 100, an outer wall 212 forming a wall portion along the outer edge of the bottom plate 211, and a plurality of cross beams 213 and a middle beam 214 defining an internal space surrounded by the outer wall 212.
[0046] The intermediate beam 214 is a wall portion extending in the horizontal direction (Y direction) and dividing the internal space of the battery pack tray 210 into two, and the cross beam 213 is a wall portion spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance and extending in the vertical direction (X direction), and both ends of the cross beam 213 are connected to the intermediate beam 214 and the outer wall 212. Each cross beam 213 can have one end connected to the intermediate beam 214 and the other end connected to the outer wall 212. In addition, the cross beams 213 can be spaced apart from each other by a distance corresponding to the width of the battery module 100.
[0047] The cross beam 213 and the intermediate beam 214 support the outer wall 212 and increase the structural rigidity of the battery pack tray 210. Therefore, the battery pack tray 210 according to this embodiment is less likely to be deformed, for example, twisted, even under external impact.
[0048] In addition, the battery pack tray 210 has a plurality of partitioned spaces so that the battery modules 100 can be accommodated to be spatially separated. When the battery modules 100 are accommodated in a partitioned manner as described above, for example, when a thermal event occurs in any of the battery modules 100, the cross beam 213 or the intermediate beam 214 can block heat and high-temperature gas, thereby blocking or delaying heat transfer between the battery modules 100.
[0049] The battery pack tray 210 can include a gas discharge port 215. At least one gas discharge port 215 can be provided in at least one side of the outer wall 212.
[0050] The gas discharge port 215 can be formed by penetrating the outer wall 212. A metal mesh net can be coupled with the gas discharge port 215. Gas can pass through the metal mesh net, but flames or sparks can be prevented from leaking to the outside through the metal mesh net. Although not shown, a valve unit that opens and closes according to a difference in pressure between the inside and the outside of the battery pack case 200 can be installed to the gas discharge port 215.
[0051] For example, in this embodiment, two gas discharge ports 215 can be provided in each of the front and rear sides of the outer wall 212. One of the two gas discharge ports 215 provided at the front of the outer wall 212 can be provided at the left side (-X direction) of the intermediate beam 214, and the other can be provided at the right side (+X direction) of the intermediate beam 214. The two gas discharge ports 215 provided at the rear of the outer wall 212 can also be provided at each of the left and right sides of the intermediate beam 214. Here, the gas discharge port 215 located at the left side of the intermediate beam 214 serves to discharge gas that can be generated in the battery module 100 arranged at the left side of the intermediate beam 214 to the outside of the battery pack case 200, and the gas discharge port 215 located at the right side of the intermediate beam 214 serves to discharge gas generated in the battery module 100 arranged at the right side of the intermediate beam 214 to the outside of the battery pack case 200.
[0052] The battery pack cover 220 may be provided in the form of a plate bolted to, for example, the upper end of the outer wall 212 of the battery pack tray 210, and may at least cover the open top of the battery pack tray 210. Although not shown, a sealing gasket may be arranged on the upper end of the outer wall 212, and the edge of the battery pack cover 220 may be placed on the sealing gasket.
[0053] The battery pack 10 according to this disclosure may include a cooling channel 300 disposed inside the base plate 211 of the battery pack housing 200 as a cooling device for absorbing heat generated in the battery module 100 during charging and discharging. The cooling channel 300 refers to a passage through which a cooling medium moves, and the cooling medium may be, for example, a coolant. The cooling channel 300 includes a cooling medium inlet 301 for receiving cooling medium from the outside of the battery pack housing 200 and a cooling medium outlet 302 for discharging cooling medium to the outside of the battery pack housing 200, and may be configured to be disposed inside the base plate 211 of the battery pack housing 200 to absorb heat through indirect contact with the battery module 100.
[0054] like Figure 3 As shown, the battery pack 10 according to this embodiment may include two cooling channels 300 to effectively cool, such as Figure 2 The diagram shows battery modules 100 arranged on the left and right sides based on the intermediate beam 214. For example, as the cooling medium absorbs heat from the battery modules 100 and moves along the cooling channel 300, the temperature increases as the cooling medium moves towards the cooling medium outlet 302. Therefore, as in this embodiment, if cooling channels 300 for cooling the battery modules 100 arranged on the left and right sides of the intermediate beam 214 are provided independently, the temperature rise of the cooling medium can be reduced compared to using a single cooling channel 300, thereby improving cooling efficiency. The two cooling channels 300 according to this embodiment can be arranged symmetrically with respect to the intermediate beam 214.
[0055] Specifically, see cooling channel 300, such as Figure 3As shown, the cooling channel 300 may include a main channel 310, a branch channel 320, an independent module cooling channel 330, and a connecting channel 340. The main channel 310 has a cooling medium inlet 301 at one end and a cooling medium outlet 302 at the other end. The branch channel 320 branches from the main channel 310 and passes through the lower part of the corresponding crossbeam 213. The independent module cooling channel 330 is configured to pass through the lower region of the corresponding battery module 100 from each of the branch channels 320. The connecting channel 340 is connected to the main channel 310 and the branch channel 320.
[0056] The main channel 310 can be configured to extend in a straight line from the bottom plate 211 of the battery pack housing 200 to its edge along the longitudinal direction (Y direction) of the battery pack housing 200. Branch channels 320 are channels branching off from the main channel 310 to individually supply cooling medium to the battery module 100. Specifically, each branch channel 320 can be configured to be located at... Figure 3 At the lower part of each crossbeam 213. Each branch channel 320 can be configured to close when the blocking block member 410 embedded in each crossbeam 213 descends. At this time, the flow of cooling medium into the closed branch channel 320 can be prevented.
[0057] Independent module cooling channels 330 can be disposed in the lower region of the battery module 100 to absorb heat from the corresponding battery module 100. Each of the independent module cooling channels 330 may have a start point and an end point connected to the branch channel 320, and may have, for example, a tortuous path to indirectly contact the battery module 100 over a wide range. Of course, the independent module cooling channels 330 may be configured differently from this embodiment.
[0058] The connecting channel 340 is the path along which the cooling media from the branch channel 320 and the independent module cooling channel 330 converge, and can be configured to guide the converged cooling media to the cooling media outlet 302 of the main channel 310. For example... Figure 3 As indicated by the arrows, the cooling medium moves from the main channel 310 to the branch channel 320, then from the branch channel 320 into the independent module cooling channel 330, where it absorbs heat from the battery module 100 at the corresponding location. The cooling medium that has absorbed heat can then move along the connecting channel 340 back through the branch channel 320 from the independent module cooling channel 330 to the cooling medium outlet 302 of the main channel 310.
[0059] Meanwhile, the cooling path blocking unit 400 can be configured to selectively block the cooling channel 300 located below a particular battery module 100 when a thermal event occurs in that battery module 100. Here, the particular battery module 100 refers to the battery module 100 in which an internal fire or thermal event has occurred. According to the cooling path blocking unit 400, the temperature of the cooling medium can be prevented from rising rapidly due to heat generated in the burning battery module 100. The cooling path blocking unit 400 can also prevent the heat energy of the cooling medium, whose temperature has risen rapidly due to the burning battery module 100, from being transferred to other battery modules 100.
[0060] The cooling path blocking unit 400 may include a blocking block member 410 having an electromagnet 411 and a magnet 420. The electromagnet 411 is disposed inside the crossbeam 213 and electrically connected to each battery module 100 in the battery module 100. The magnet 420 is disposed inside the base plate 211 of the battery pack housing 200 and configured to face the electromagnet 411 when the cooling channel 300 is inserted therein, thereby exerting a repulsive force. Furthermore, the cooling path blocking unit 400 may be configured such that when a thermal event occurs in one of the battery modules 100, the current supply to the electromagnet 411 is cut off, causing the blocking block member 410 to fall toward the magnet 420 and block at least a portion of the cooling channel 300 flowing into the battery module 100.
[0061] Specifically, such as Figure 4 and 5 As shown, the blocking block member 410 can be embedded in each crossbeam 213. The crossbeam 213 can have a hollow structure so that the blocking block member 410 can be accommodated therein. In addition, the crossbeam 213 can be configured such that its lower end communicates with the branch channel 320 of the cooling channel 300.
[0062] The blocking block member 410 may include an electromagnet 411 and a weight balancing member 412 disposed on the upper part of the electromagnet 411. Here, the electromagnet 411 refers to a magnet that is magnetized when current flows and returns to its original unmagnetized state when the current is cut off.
[0063] The weight balancing member 412 can be a device for increasing the weight of the electromagnet 411. For example, a counterweight can be used as the weight balancing member 412. The electromagnet 411 is suspended in the air to a predetermined height by the repulsive force between the electromagnet 411 and the magnetic body 420, and at this time, the gap between the electromagnet 411 and the magnetic body 420 can be appropriately adjusted by adjusting the weight of the weight balancing member 412. Furthermore, when the electromagnet 411 loses its magnetism and falls, the cooling channel 300 can be stably closed by the weight balancing member 412 with its weight. At the same time, the weight balancing member 412 can be configured to include heat-insulating material. The weight balancing member 412 can make it more difficult for heat energy to be transferred between the battery modules 100 in which the crossbeam 213 is inserted.
[0064] The magnetic body 420 can be positioned below the cooling channel 300 and facing the electromagnet 411. The magnetic body 420 can be a permanent magnet that stably maintains its magnetism even when no external current is supplied.
[0065] Electromagnet 411 and magnetic body 420 can be configured such that they have the same polarity and face each other. In this case, a repulsive force, acting as a mutual repulsion force, acts between electromagnet 411 and magnetic body 420, such as... Figure 6 As indicated by F in the figure. Magnetic body 420 is fixedly connected to the interior of the base plate 211 of the battery pack housing 200, and electromagnet 411 is not fixedly connected to the crossbeam 213. In this case, electromagnet 411 can be suspended by repulsive force, so that the cooling channel 300 is not closed. Here, cooling channel 300 may refer to the branch channel 320 located at the lower part of the crossbeam 213. When electromagnet 411 loses its magnetism, blocking block member 410 falls, closing the branch channel 320 and also closing the independent module cooling channel 330 connected to the branch channel 320. That is, the cooling path blocking unit 400 according to this embodiment is configured to block the branch channel 320 located below the crossbeam 213 adjacent to the battery module 100 where a thermal event occurs, thereby closing the independent module cooling channel 330 passing through the lower region of the battery module 100 where a thermal event occurs.
[0066] The cooling path blocking unit 400 may also include a fuse unit 430. The fuse unit 430 may be connected to a cable connecting the battery module 100 and the blocking block member 410. Although schematically shown for convenience of the drawings, for example, an electromagnet 411 may be connected via a cable to a BMS (not shown) included in the battery module 100 to receive current. The fuse unit 430 may be connected to the cable. Here, the fuse unit 430 may be a thermal fuse operating at a predetermined temperature. For example, when the temperature of the fuse unit 430 reaches a specific temperature due to a fire in the battery module 100, the fuse unit 430 may be melted to block the current. Alternatively, the fuse unit 430 may be configured such that when a fire signal is received from the BMS of the battery module 100, the circuitry located within the fuse unit 430 is disconnected to block the current flow.
[0067] According to fuse unit 430, such as Figure 7 As shown, when the battery module 100 catches fire, the fuse unit 430 connected to the burning battery module 100 disconnects to cut off the current supply, and when the electromagnet 411 of the blocking block member 410 connected to the fuse unit 430 loses its magnetism, the blocking block member 410 can fall, allowing the corresponding cooling channel 300 to be closed. Therefore, the cooling medium is not supplied to the independent module cooling channel 330 located below the burning battery module 100.
[0068] Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating the flow of the cooling medium when a battery module 100 in the battery pack 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure catches fire.
[0069] For example, suppose in Figure 8 If a thermal event occurs in the second battery module 100B of the four battery modules 100A, 100B, 100C, and 100D shown, the fuse unit 430 connected to the second battery module 100B may be damaged due to heat. Then, as described above, the electromagnet 411 of the blocking block member 410 connected to the fuse unit 430 loses its magnetism, causing the blocking block member 410 to fall and block the branch channel 320 located in the lower region of the crossbeam 213. However, the fuse units 430 connected to the remaining battery modules 100A, 100C, and 100D will not be damaged unless they overheat, so the blocking block member 410 connected to the fuse unit 430 will not fall into the crossbeam 213.
[0070] As a result, Figure 8As shown, the flow of the cooling medium is blocked only in the branch channel 320 corresponding to the second battery module 100B and the independent module cooling channel 330, while the flow of the cooling medium can continue in the branch channel 320 and the independent module cooling channel 330 corresponding to the remaining battery modules 100A, 100C, and 100D. In this case, since the cooling medium is not supplied to the lower region of the burning second battery module 100B, a rapid temperature rise of the cooling medium due to the heat from the burning second battery module 100B can be prevented. Furthermore, since the cooling medium intended for the lower region of the second battery module 100B is concentrated on the lower regions of the remaining battery modules 100A, 100C, and 100D, the cooling performance of the remaining battery modules 100A, 100C, and 100D can be enhanced. Therefore, the heat transfer from the second battery module 100B to the remaining battery modules 100A, 100C, and 100D can be significantly delayed.
[0071] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a vehicle including a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0072] refer to Figure 9 The vehicle V according to embodiments of the present disclosure may include a battery pack 10 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The vehicle according to the present disclosure may be, for example, an electric vehicle, a hybrid electric vehicle, or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. The vehicle includes four-wheeled vehicles and two-wheeled vehicles. The vehicle may be configured to operate by receiving power from a battery pack or battery module according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0073] 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 can be made by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains within the scope of the technical concept of this disclosure and the equivalents of the claims which will be further described.
[0074] Furthermore, although directional terms such as up, down, left, right, forward, and backward are used in this specification, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these terms are for ease of interpretation only and may vary depending on the position of the target object or the observer's position.
Claims
1.A battery pack comprising: a plurality of battery modules; a battery pack case configured to accommodate the plurality of battery modules therein; a cooling passage provided inside a floor of the battery pack case; a cross beam configured to form a wall portion between the battery modules such that the battery modules are respectively arranged in partitioned spaces; and a cooling path blocking unit configured to selectively block the cooling passage located below a certain battery module among the battery modules when a thermal event occurs in the certain battery module. 2.The battery pack of claim 1, the cooling path blocking unit comprising: wherein a blocking block member having an electromagnet arranged inside the cross beam and electrically connected to each of the battery modules; and a magnetic body provided inside the floor of the battery pack case and disposed to face the electromagnet with the cooling passage interposed therebetween to exert a repulsive force, wherein, when a thermal event occurs in the certain battery module, a supply of an electric current to the electromagnet is cut off so that the blocking block member falls and closes at least a portion of the cooling passage flowing into the certain battery module. 3.The battery pack of claim 2, a fuse unit is coupled with a cable connecting the certain battery module and the blocking block member to block a flow of the electric current based on a predetermined temperature or signal. wherein 4.The battery pack of claim 3, the fuse unit is a thermal fuse. wherein 5.The battery pack of claim 2, the blocking block member includes a weight balancing member provided on an upper portion of the electromagnet. wherein 6.The battery pack of claim 5, the weight balancing member includes a thermal insulation material. wherein 7.The battery pack of claim 1, the cooling passage comprising: wherein, a main passage having a cooling medium inlet and a cooling medium outlet communicating with an outside of the battery pack case; branch passages branched from the main passage and respectively passing through lower portions of corresponding cross beams; independent module cooling passages provided to pass through lower regions of each corresponding battery module from each of the branch passages; and a connection passage configured to connect the branch passages and the main passage. 8.The battery pack of claim 7, the cooling path blocking unit is configured to block the branch passage connected to the independent module cooling passage passing through the lower region of the certain battery module. wherein 9.The battery pack of claim 1, the battery module includes a plurality of battery cells and a module case accommodating the plurality of battery cells, and wherein wherein the module case includes at least one gas exhaust hole in a top plate covering upper portions of the battery cells. 10.The battery pack of claim 1, the battery pack case includes at least one gas exhaust port in an outer wall. wherein 11. A vehicle comprising the battery pack of any one of claims 1-10.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Operation indicating device of cooling and heating cup holder for vehicle
KR1020240059288A