Battery pack with selectively configurable number of exhaust valves

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery pack including: a battery pack case having an accommodation portion for accommodating a plurality of battery modules; and a cover plate coupled to an open upper surface of the battery pack case, wherein the battery pack case includes a side wall having a rectangular frame shape, the side wall having a plurality of openings formed therein, and each of the plurality of openings having a cover or an exhaust valve selectively coupled to an outer surface thereof.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 2024-0123909, filed on September 11, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] This invention relates to a battery pack capable of selectively applying multiple vent valves. More specifically, this invention relates to a battery pack capable of selectively applying multiple vent valves based on the capacity of battery modules with different gas emission rates during thermal runaway. Background Technology

[0003] Carbon emission regulations are being strengthened as an alternative to reducing greenhouse gases, and people are increasingly choosing environmentally friendly energy sources as their power source. Therefore, lithium-ion batteries are used as an energy source for various electronic devices because they can be repeatedly charged and discharged, unlike primary batteries which are used once and then discarded.

[0004] Furthermore, in areas requiring high-power and high-capacity energy sources, such as electric vehicles, the proportion of lithium-ion batteries assembled into battery modules and battery packs for applications is increasing.

[0005] Lithium-ion batteries inevitably generate heat during repeated charging and discharging. Furthermore, overcurrent can flow, causing a rapid increase in the temperature of the lithium-ion battery, which can lead to electrolyte decomposition reactions and the generation of gas. A battery pack can consist of multiple battery modules connected in series and parallel, and each battery module can include multiple lithium-ion batteries. If gas is generated in the lithium-ion batteries, the battery pack may explode due to the increased pressure of the gas collected within it. Therefore, vent valves are installed in the battery pack casing to release the gas from the battery pack to the outside, thereby reducing the internal pressure of the battery pack.

[0006] For electric vehicles, the type of battery pack installed varies depending on the vehicle model, which can be a factor contributing to increased costs. As the price of electric vehicles significantly impacts sales, cost competition among manufacturers is intensifying. Therefore, to reduce costs, a single battery pack can be used in different types of electric vehicles with varying battery module capacities.

[0007] However, since the electrical capacity varies depending on the electric vehicle model, the amount of gas emitted during thermal runaway can vary. Therefore, when the gas emission is large, the number of vent valves added to the battery pack needs to be increased, and when the gas emission is small, the number of vent valves added to the battery pack needs to be reduced.

[0008] Patent document 1 relates to a battery tray, the body of which includes a base plate, side beams and multiple partitions. The base plate is divided into multiple receiving spaces, in which battery modules are disposed. A first hole and a second hole for the emission of flames, smoke or gas are formed on the side beams and / or the base plate corresponding to the receiving spaces.

[0009] In Patent Document 1, it is difficult to change the number of exhaust valves taking into account the capacity of the battery module, because the holes for gas discharge are formed in the battery tray corresponding to the battery pack housing.

[0010] Therefore, a structure is needed in which the same battery pack can be applied to various types of electric vehicles to ensure cost competitiveness, taking into account the number of exhaust valves set according to the amount of gas emitted based on the capacity of the battery module, thereby ensuring safety and preventing unnecessary consumption of exhaust valves.

[0011] (Existing technical documents)

[0012] (Patent Document 1) Chinese Patent Application Publication No. 112531246 (March 19, 2021) Summary of the Invention

[0013] Technical issues

[0014] The present invention was made in view of the above problems, and the object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack that can selectively apply a necessary number of exhaust valves according to the electrical capacity of the electric vehicle using the battery pack.

[0015] Technical solution

[0016] A battery pack according to the invention for achieving the above objectives comprises: a battery pack housing having a receiving portion configured to accommodate a plurality of battery modules; and a cover plate coupled to an open upper surface of the battery pack housing, wherein the battery pack housing includes sidewalls formed in a quadrilateral frame shape, a plurality of openings being formed in the sidewalls, and either a cover or an exhaust valve is selectively coupled to the outer surface of each of the plurality of openings.

[0017] The plurality of openings can be formed in two sidewalls that are parallel to each other in the sidewalls.

[0018] Each of the plurality of openings can be configured to have a circular through-hole at the center of a quadrilateral groove formed on the inner surface of the sidewall.

[0019] The groove may have a first fastening groove formed through the side wall, and a bolt may be fastened to the first fastening groove to fix the fixing member connected to the cover or the exhaust valve.

[0020] The fixing member can be installed in the groove, and the fixing member can be provided with a second fastening groove for connecting with the side wall and the cover and a third fastening groove for connecting with the exhaust valve.

[0021] The second fastening groove may be formed at a position corresponding to the first fastening groove formed in the groove portion.

[0022] When the cover is attached to at least one of the plurality of openings, the cover can be attached to the sidewall and the fixing member via bolts that pass through and fasten to the first fastening groove and the second fastening groove.

[0023] When the exhaust valve is connected to at least one of the plurality of openings, the exhaust valve may be disposed inside the at least one opening.

[0024] The exhaust valve may be provided with a fourth fastening groove, and the exhaust valve may be connected to the fixing member via bolts that pass through and are fastened to the fourth fastening groove and the third fastening groove.

[0025] The exhaust valve may include: a plurality of channels for gas discharge; a rupture portion configured to rupture when the internal pressure of the battery pack increases; and a pressing portion configured to press the rupture portion.

[0026] The plurality of openings may be formed in the side surface of the expanded outer surface facing the battery module.

[0027] Furthermore, the present invention can provide various combinations of the above-mentioned solutions.

[0028] Beneficial effects

[0029] In this invention, the number of exhaust valves applied to the battery pack can be selectively applied according to the capacity of the electric vehicle equipped with the battery pack.

[0030] Therefore, a single type of battery pack can be applied to various types of electric vehicles, thereby reducing costs.

[0031] Furthermore, by applying an exhaust valve based on the amount of gas generated in the battery module, smooth gas discharge can be achieved and unnecessary wear of the exhaust valve can be prevented. Attached Figure Description

[0032] Figure 1 This is an exploded perspective view of the battery pack according to the present invention.

[0033] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A magnified view of a portion of the image.

[0034] Figure 3 It is an exploded perspective view of the part where the cover is attached to the opening.

[0035] Figure 4 This is an exploded perspective view of the part where the exhaust valve is added to the opening.

[0036] Figure 5 This is a 3D diagram of the exhaust valve. Detailed Implementation

[0037] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, enabling them to be readily implemented by those skilled in the art. However, in describing the operational principles of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, detailed descriptions of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted where such descriptions might obscure the subject matter of the invention.

[0038] Throughout the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals will be used to refer to parts that perform similar functions or operations. Throughout the specification, when a part is referred to as being connected to another part, this means that the one part can be directly connected to the other part, and also indirectly connected to the other part via yet another part. Furthermore, including an element does not mean excluding other elements, but rather means that, unless otherwise specified, such elements may be further included.

[0039] Descriptions of elements by limiting or adding to them can be applied to all inventions unless otherwise specified, and do not limit any particular invention.

[0040] In the specification and claims of this application, unless otherwise stated, the singular form is intended to include the plural form.

[0041] In the specification and claims of this application, unless otherwise stated, "or" includes "and". Therefore, "including A or B" means three cases: including A, including B, and including both A and B.

[0042] Embodiments of the invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0043] Figure 1 This is an exploded perspective view of the battery pack according to the present invention.

[0044] Reference Figure 1According to the present invention, the battery pack 100 includes a battery pack housing 110 and a cover plate 120 connected to an open upper surface of the battery pack housing 110. The battery pack housing 110 has a receiving portion 115 configured to accommodate a plurality of battery modules. The battery pack housing 110 includes a side wall formed in the shape of a quadrilateral frame and a plurality of openings 130 formed in the side wall.

[0045] The sidewalls include a first sidewall 111, a second sidewall 112, a third sidewall 113, and a fourth sidewall 114. A plurality of openings 130 are formed in two sidewalls that are parallel to each other. Figure 1 Multiple openings 130 are shown formed in the first sidewall 111 and the third sidewall 113.

[0046] The battery module can accommodate pouch-type battery cells, and Figure 1 In the battery pack 100 shown, when considering the shape of the receiving portion 115, the cup portion of the pouch-type battery cell can be configured to face the first sidewall 111 and the third sidewall 113. During charging and discharging of the battery pack, the battery module including the pouch-type battery cell expands in the direction toward the first sidewall 111 and the third sidewall 113. Therefore, a plurality of openings 130 are formed in the first sidewall 111 and the third sidewall 113.

[0047] Either the cover 210 or the vent valve 220 is selectively attached to the outer surface of each of the plurality of openings 130.

[0048] The amount of gas generated can vary depending on the capacity of the multiple battery modules housed in the battery pack casing 110 and the composition of the battery cells. Therefore, when the gas volume is large, the number of covers 210 can be reduced and the number of vent valves 220 can be increased. When the gas volume is small, the number of covers 210 can be increased and the number of vent valves 220 can be reduced.

[0049] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A magnified view of a portion of the image. Figure 3 It is an exploded perspective view of the part where the cover is attached to the opening.

[0050] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 ,in Figure 3 The state is shown when viewed from the inside of the battery pack housing. Each of the plurality of openings 130 formed in the sidewall is configured such that a circular through-hole is present at the center of a quadrilateral recess 140 formed on the inner surface of the first sidewall 111.

[0051] The groove portion 140 is provided with a first fastening groove 211 formed through the first sidewall 111, the fixing member 230 is located inside the first sidewall 111, and the cover 210 or the exhaust valve 220 is provided on the outer surface 111a of the first sidewall.

[0052] Bolt 212 is inserted through the connecting groove of cover 210 or the connecting groove of exhaust valve 220, the first fastening groove 211 and the fixing member 230, thereby cover 210 or exhaust valve 220 can be fixed to fixing member 230.

[0053] The fixing member 230 is installed in the groove portion 140. The fixing member 230 is provided with a second fastening groove 231 for connecting with the first side wall 111 and the cover 210 and a third fastening groove 232 for connecting with the exhaust valve 220.

[0054] The second fastening groove 231 is formed at a position corresponding to the first fastening groove 211 formed in the groove portion 140.

[0055] When the cover 210 is connected to at least one of the plurality of openings 130, the cover 210 is connected to the first sidewall 111 and the fixing member 230 via bolts 212 that pass through and are fastened to the first fastening groove 211 and the second fastening groove 231.

[0056] Figure 4 This is an exploded perspective view of the part where the exhaust valve is added to the opening. Figure 5 This is a 3D diagram of the exhaust valve.

[0057] When the exhaust valve 220 is connected to at least one of the plurality of openings 130, the exhaust valve 220 is inserted into and disposed in the opening 130.

[0058] The exhaust valve 220 is provided with a fourth fastening groove 221, and the exhaust valve 220 is connected to the fixing member 230 via bolts that pass through and fasten to the fourth fastening groove 221 and the third fastening groove 232 of the fixing member 230.

[0059] The vent valve 220 can be configured to remain sealed when the internal pressure of the battery pack is normal, and to rupture and open when gas needs to be released due to an increase in the internal pressure of the battery pack.

[0060] Reference Figure 5 The exhaust valve 220 includes a plurality of channels 222 for gas discharge, a rupture portion 223 configured to rupture when the internal pressure of the battery pack increases, and a pressing portion 224 configured to press the rupture portion 223.

[0061] The fracture portion 223 may be provided with a notch, or may have a small thickness so that it can easily rupture when the internal pressure increases.

[0062] The rupture portion 223 can rupture when pressed by the pressing portion 224. The pressing portion 224 can be pushed by the expansion of the battery module housing and moved in the direction toward the rupture portion 223, so that the rupture portion 223 can rupture due to the force of the pressing portion 224 pushing the rupture portion 223. Alternatively, increased pressure in the battery pack can push the pressing portion 224 in the direction toward the rupture portion 223, thereby causing the rupture portion 223 to rupture.

[0063] If the rupture portion 223 breaks too easily, the battery pack casing may need to be replaced unnecessarily. Therefore, the rupture portion 223 only needs to break when the force exerted by the pressing portion 224 on the rupture portion 223 exceeds a certain level. Therefore, the pressing portion 223 may include a spring 225 for pressure adjustment.

[0064] In this invention, as described above, either the cover or the vent valve can be selectively applied to each of the plurality of openings formed in the battery pack housing. Therefore, even when a single form of battery pack according to the invention is applied to various electric vehicle models, the number of vent valves can be set according to the capacity of the battery modules constituting the battery pack.

[0065] Those skilled in the art will understand that, based on the above description, various applications and modifications can be made within the scope of this invention.

[0066] (Description of reference numerals in the attached diagram)

[0067] 100: Battery pack

[0068] 110: Battery pack casing

[0069] 111: First sidewall; 111a: Outer surface of the first sidewall

[0070] 112: Second sidewall

[0071] 113: Third sidewall

[0072] 114: Fourth sidewall

[0073] 115: Reception Department

[0074] 120: Cover plate

[0075] 130: Opening

[0076] 140: Groove section

[0077] 210: Cover

[0078] 211: First fastening groove; 212: Bolt

[0079] 220: Exhaust valve

[0080] 221: Fourth fastening groove

[0081] 222: Channel

[0082] 223: Rupture section 224: Pressing section

[0083] 225: Spring

[0084] 230: Fixed component

[0085] 231: Second fastening groove; 232: Third fastening groove

Claims

1. A battery pack, the battery pack comprising: A battery pack housing having a receiving portion configured to accommodate a plurality of battery modules; as well as A cover plate, the cover plate being attached to the open upper surface of the battery pack housing, wherein, The battery pack housing includes sidewalls formed in the shape of a quadrilateral frame. Multiple openings are formed in the sidewall, and Either the cover or the vent valve is selectively attached to the outer surface of each of the plurality of openings.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein, The plurality of openings are formed in two parallel sidewalls in the sidewalls.

3. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein, Each of the plurality of openings is configured to have a circular through-hole at the center of a quadrilateral groove formed on the inner surface of the sidewall.

4. The battery pack according to claim 3, wherein, The recessed portion is provided with a first fastening groove that penetrates the sidewall, and Bolts are tightened into the first fastening groove to secure the fixing member that is connected to the cover or the exhaust valve.

5. The battery pack according to claim 3, wherein, The fixing member is installed in the groove, and The fixing member is provided with a second fastening groove for connecting with the side wall and the cover, and a third fastening groove for connecting with the exhaust valve.

6. The battery pack according to claim 5, wherein, The second fastening groove is formed at a position corresponding to the first fastening groove formed in the groove portion.

7. The battery pack according to claim 5, wherein, When the cover is attached to at least one of the plurality of openings, the cover is attached to the sidewall and the fixing member via bolts that pass through and fasten to the first fastening groove and the second fastening groove.

8. The battery pack according to claim 5, wherein, When the exhaust valve is connected to at least one of the plurality of openings, the exhaust valve is disposed inside the at least one opening.

9. The battery pack according to claim 8, wherein, The exhaust valve is provided with a fourth fastening groove, and the exhaust valve is connected to the fixing member via bolts that pass through and fasten to the fourth fastening groove and the third fastening groove.

10. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein, The exhaust valve includes: Multiple channels for gas emission; A rupture portion, configured to rupture when the internal pressure of the battery pack increases; and The pressing part is configured to press the ruptured part.

11. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein, The plurality of openings are formed in the side surface of the expanded outer surface facing the battery module.

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