Energy storage system

Abstract

An energy storage system is configured to reduce damage caused by flames responsive to battery combustion. The energy storage system comprises: a cabinet; a plurality of battery modules inside the cabinet and each including an exhaust port; a first passage facing the exhaust port and including a first end portion and a second end portion spaced apart from each other in a first direction; a second channel inside the cabinet and connected to the second end portion; a guide member in the first passage and configured to guide movement of the flame or gas discharged from the exhaust port in the first direction; and a discharge member connected to the second passage and configured to discharge the gas introduced into the second passage to the outside of the cabinet. According to the present disclosure, damage caused by a fire can be reduced by allowing flame or gas generated due to combustion or thermal runaway of the battery module to move through the set path.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an energy storage system. Background Art

[0002] Generally speaking, an energy storage system (ESS) is a device that can store surplus electricity or electricity generated using renewable energy. An ESS may include multiple racks housed in a container and multiple battery modules within the racks. A battery module can be constructed by assembling multiple electrically connected secondary batteries in various configurations.

[0003] The above information disclosed in the art forming the background of the present disclosure is only intended for enhancement of understanding of the background of the present disclosure and therefore may include information that does not constitute related art. Utility Model Content

[0004] The present disclosure is directed to an energy storage system configured to reduce damage caused by a fire in response to battery combustion.

[0005] These and other aspects and features of the present disclosure will be described in or will be obvious from the following description of some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an energy storage system includes: a cabinet; a plurality of battery modules inside the cabinet and each including an exhaust port; a first channel facing the exhaust port and including a first end portion and a second end portion spaced apart from each other in a first direction; a second channel inside the cabinet and connected to the second end portion; a guide member in the first channel and configured to guide movement of flames or gases discharged from the exhaust port in a first direction; and a discharge member connected to the second channel and configured to discharge gas introduced into the second channel to the outside of the cabinet.

[0007] The battery modules may be stacked vertically inside the cabinet, and the first channel may be between a pair of vertically adjacent battery modules.

[0008] A distance between bottom surfaces of a pair of vertically adjacent battery modules may be greater than a height of any one of the battery modules.

[0009] The volume of the second channel may be greater than the volume of the first channel.

[0010] The first channel may intersect the second channel.

[0011] The cabinet may include: a frame body; a support rail inside the frame body and supporting the battery module; and a cover surrounding an outer surface of the frame body.

[0012] The cover may include a pair of side covers facing side surfaces of the battery module and spaced apart from each other in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and the energy storage system may further include a first spacer between the side covers and the battery module.

[0013] The first spacer may be in contact with a side surface of the support rail.

[0014] The battery modules may be arranged in at least two rows in the second direction, and the energy storage system may further include a second separator between the battery modules arranged in different rows.

[0015] The second spacer may be in contact with a side surface of the support rail.

[0016] The cover may further include: a door facing the first end portion and configured to open or close an inner space of the frame body; and an end cover spaced apart from the door and facing the second end portion.

[0017] The guide member may include a guide vane facing the first end portion and configured to block the flame or gas introduced into the first passage from being discharged from the first end portion.

[0018] The guide member may further include a sealing member coupled to the guide vane and sealing a gap between the first end portion and the guide vane.

[0019] The sealing member may be elastically deformable.

[0020] The guide member may further include a guide louver facing the exhaust port and configured to change a moving direction of the flame or gas discharged from the exhaust port toward the second end portion.

[0021] The discharge member may include: a discharge hole on the outside of the cabinet; a third channel on the inside of the discharge hole and connected to the second channel and the discharge hole; a blocking member facing the discharge hole and configured to block the flame introduced into the third channel from passing through the discharge hole; and a hood facing the blocking member and configured to guide the discharge of gas passing through the blocking member.

[0022] The blocking member may include a blocking filter including a mesh.

[0023] The third channel may intersect the second channel.

[0024] The energy storage system may further include: a backflow prevention member between the first channel and the second channel and configured to block the flame or gas introduced into the second channel from flowing back into the first channel.

[0025] The backflow prevention member may include a check valve configured to open in response to a pressure in the first passage exceeding a pressure in the second passage. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The accompanying drawings attached to this specification illustrate some embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the detailed description of the present disclosure, further describe aspects and features of the present disclosure. However, the present disclosure should not be interpreted as being limited to the accompanying drawings.

[0027] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent to those skilled in the art by describing in detail exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0028] Figure 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a configuration of an energy storage system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view schematically illustrating the configuration of an energy storage system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] Figure 3 is a side sectional view schematically illustrating the configuration of an energy storage system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] Figure 4 A front sectional view schematically illustrating the configuration of an energy storage system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0032] Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating the configuration of a cabinet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] Figure 6 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a configuration of a guide member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0034] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a configuration of a guide member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0035] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional perspective view schematically illustrating a configuration of a discharge member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0036] Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating a configuration of a discharge member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0037] Figures 10 to 13 A diagram schematically illustrating an operation process of an energy storage system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0038] Figure 14 is a plan view schematically illustrating the configuration of an energy storage system according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0039] Figure 15is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the configuration of an energy storage system according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0040] Figure 16 A diagram schematically illustrating a state in which flame or gas is discharged from an exhaust port;

[0041] Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a configuration of an energy storage system according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0042] Figure 18 A diagram schematically illustrating the operation of an energy storage system according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] Herein, some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The terms or words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted as limited to the ordinary meaning or dictionary meaning, and should be interpreted as meanings and concepts consistent with the technical idea of the present disclosure based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the term for his / her own lexicon compiler.

[0044] The embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are provided as some example embodiments of the present disclosure and do not represent all technical ideas, aspects and features of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that at the time of filing this application, various equivalents and modifications that can replace or modify the embodiments described herein may exist.

[0045] It should be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it can be directly on, directly connected to, or coupled to the other element or layer, or one or more intervening elements or layers may be present. When an element or layer is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers. For example, when a first element is described as being “coupled to” or “connected to” a second element, the first element can be directly coupled or connected to the second element, or the first element can be indirectly coupled or connected to the second element via one or more intervening elements.

[0046] In the drawings, for clarity of illustration, the sizes of various elements, layers, etc. may be exaggerated. The same reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any one and all combinations of one or more associated listed items. In addition, the use of "may" when describing the embodiments of the present disclosure relates to "one or more embodiments of the present disclosure". Expressions such as "at least one of..." and "any one of..." modify the entire element list when following an element list, rather than modifying the individual elements in the list. When phrases such as "at least one of A, B, and C," "at least one of A, B, or C," "at least one selected from the group of A, B, and C," or "at least one selected from the middle of A, B, and C" are used to indicate a list of elements A, B, and C, the phrase may refer to any one of A, B, and C and all suitable combinations or subsets, such as A, B, C, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C. As used herein, the term "use" may be considered synonymous with the term "utilize." As used herein, the terms "substantially," "approximately," and similar terms are used as terms of approximation rather than terms of degree, and are intended to take into account the inherent variation in measurements or calculations that one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize.

[0047] It should be understood that although the terms "first," "second," "third," etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, and / or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers, and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or section from another element, component, region, layer, or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer, or section discussed below may be referred to as a second element, component, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

[0048] For ease of description, spatial relative terms (such as "below", "below", "down", "above", "on", etc.) can be used in this article to describe the relationship between an element or feature as shown in the figure and another element or feature. It should be understood that spatial relative terms are intended to cover different orientations of the device in use or operation except the orientation depicted in the figure. For example, if the device in the figure is turned over, the element described as being "below" or "below" other elements or features will then be oriented as being "above" or "above" other elements or features. Therefore, the term "below" can cover both above and below orientations. The device can be oriented in other ways (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatial relative descriptors used herein should be interpreted accordingly.

[0049] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing the embodiments of the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular form "a" is intended to also include the plural form, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should be further understood that the terms "comprise" and / or "comprising" when used in this specification specify the presence of the features, integers, steps, operations, elements and / or parts, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, parts and / or groups thereof.

[0050] In addition, any numerical range disclosed and / or listed herein is intended to include all subranges of the same numerical precision contained in the listed range. For example, the range of "1.0 to 10.0" is intended to include all subranges between the listed minimum value 1.0 and the listed maximum value 10.0 (and including the listed minimum value 1.0 and the listed maximum value 10.0), that is, all subranges (e.g., such as 2.4 to 7.6) with a minimum value equal to or greater than 1.0 and a maximum value equal to or less than 10.0. Any maximum numerical limit listed herein is intended to include all lower numerical limits contained therein, and any minimum numerical limit listed in this specification is intended to include all higher numerical limits contained therein. Accordingly, the applicant reserves the right to amend this specification including the claims to explicitly list any subranges contained in the range explicitly listed herein.

[0051] Referring to two compared elements, features, etc. as "the same" may mean that they are "substantially the same." Thus, the phrase "substantially the same" may include situations with what is considered in the art to be low deviations (e.g., 5% or less). Additionally, when a parameter is referred to as being consistent in a given area, it may mean that it is consistent in terms of average value.

[0052] Throughout the specification, unless otherwise stated, each element may be in the singular or in the plural.

[0053] When any element is referred to as being arranged (or located or positioned) "on (or under)" or "on (or under)" a component, it may mean that the element is placed in contact with the upper surface (or lower surface) of the component, and may also mean that another component may be interposed between the component and any element arranged (or located or positioned) on (or under) the component.

[0054] In addition, it should be understood that when an element is referred to as being “coupled,” “linked,” or “connected” to another element, the elements may be directly “coupled,” “linked,” or “connected” to each other, or one or more intervening elements may be present therebetween, through which the element may be “coupled,” “linked,” or “connected” to the other element. In addition, when a part is referred to as being “electrically coupled” to another part, the part may be directly electrically connected to the other part, or one or more intervening parts may be present therebetween, such that the part and the other part are indirectly electrically connected to each other.

[0055] Throughout this specification, unless otherwise stated, when "A and / or B" is stated, it means A, B, or A and B. That is, "and / or" includes any or all combinations of the listed items. Unless otherwise stated, when "C to D" is stated, it means C or more and D or less.

[0056] The terms used in this specification are used to describe the embodiments of the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.

[0057] Figure 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a configuration of an energy storage system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view schematically illustrating the configuration of an energy storage system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 3 is a side sectional view schematically illustrating the configuration of an energy storage system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 4 It is a front cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the configuration of an energy storage system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0058] refer to Figures 1 to 4 The energy storage system according to this embodiment includes a cabinet 100 , at least one battery module 200 , at least one first channel 300 , a second channel 400 , a guide member 500 , and a discharge member 600 .

[0059] The cabinet 100 may form an exterior of the energy storage system. Embodiments of the cabinet 100 may include various types of closed structures having a hollow interior, such as a container or the like.

[0060] The longitudinal direction of the cabinet 100 described below may be relative to Figure 1 In terms of being parallel (or substantially parallel) to the direction of the X-axis, the width direction of the cabinet 100 may be relative to Figure 1 The height of the cabinet 100 may be parallel (or substantially parallel) to the Y-axis. Figure 1 The height direction of the cabinet 100 may be a direction that is perpendicular (or substantially perpendicular) to the ground, that is, a direction that is parallel (or substantially parallel) to the vertical direction.

[0061] Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating a configuration of a cabinet 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0062] refer to Figures 1 to 5 , the cabinet 100 may include a frame body 110 , a support rail 120 , and a cover 130 .

[0063] The frame body 110 may form a framework of the cabinet 100 , and may support the side covers 131 , the end covers 132 , and the top cover 133 .

[0064] The frame body 110 may include a base 111 , a first outer frame 112 , a second outer frame 113 , and an inner frame 114 .

[0065] The base 111 may be located on the ground. The upper surface of the base 111 may have a flat plate shape.

[0066] The first outer frame 112 may have a column shape extending upward from the upper surface of the base 111. The first outer frame 112 may include a plurality of first outer frames 112. The plurality of first outer frames 112 may be spaced apart from each other at a set interval in the longitudinal direction of the cabinet 100. The number of first outer frames 112 and the intervals between the first outer frames 112 may be varied in various ways depending on the size of the base 111, etc.

[0067] The second outer frame 113 may be a column extending upward from the upper surface of the base 111. The second outer frame 113 may be spaced apart from the first outer frame 112 in the width direction of the cabinet 100. Figure 5 In the embodiment illustrated in FIG, the first outer frame 112 and the second outer frame 113 may be located at both ends of the base 111 in the width direction. The second outer frame 113 may be a plurality of second outer frames 113. The plurality of second outer frames 113 may be spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval in the longitudinal direction of the cabinet 100. The number of second outer frames 113 and the intervals between the second outer frames 113 may be the same as the number and intervals of the first outer frames 112.

[0068] The inner frame 114 may be a column extending upward from the upper surface of the base 111. The inner frame 114 may be between the first outer frame 112 and the second outer frame 113. The inner frame 114 may be a plurality of inner frames 114. The plurality of inner frames 114 may be spaced apart from each other at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of the cabinet 100. The number of inner frames 114 and the spacing between the inner frames 114 may be the same as the number and spacing of the first outer frames 112.

[0069] The frame body 110 may further include a first receiving space 115 between the first outer frame 112 and the inner frame 114 , and a second receiving space 116 between the second outer frame 113 and the inner frame 114 .

[0070] The support rail 120 may be located within the frame body 110 and may support the battery module 200 within the frame body 110. The support rail 120 may be a rod whose longitudinal direction extends in the longitudinal direction of the cabinet 100. The support rail 120 may have a substantially L-shaped cross-section. There may be a plurality of support rails 120. All of the plurality of support rails 120 may be located within the first accommodation space 115 and the second accommodation space 116.

[0071] The plurality of support rails 120 within the first accommodation space 115 may be arranged in two rows in the width direction of the first accommodation space 115. The support rails 120 arranged in different rows may face each other within the first accommodation space 115. One surface of the support rails 120 arranged in one row may be fixed to the first outer frame 112 within the first accommodation space 115. One surface of the support rails 120 arranged in the other row may be fixed to the inner frame 114 within the first accommodation space 115. The plurality of support rails 120 within the first accommodation space 115 may be stacked in the height direction of the first accommodation space 115, that is, stacked at a set interval in the vertical direction.

[0072] The plurality of support rails 120 within the second accommodating space 116 may be arranged in two rows in the width direction of the second accommodating space 116. The support rails 120 arranged in different rows may face each other within the second accommodating space 116. One surface of the support rails 120 arranged in one row may be fixed to the second outer frame 113 within the second accommodating space 116. One surface of the support rails 120 arranged in the other row may be fixed to the inner frame 114 within the second accommodating space 116. The plurality of support rails 120 within the second accommodating space 116 may be stacked along the height direction of the second accommodating space 116, that is, stacked vertically at a set interval.

[0073] The cover 130 may surround the outer surface of the frame body 110 .

[0074] The cover 130 may include a side cover 131 , an end cover 132 , a top cover 133 , and a door 134 .

[0075] The side cover 131 may surround the side surface of the frame body 110. The side surface of the frame body 110 may be a surface parallel (or substantially parallel) to the longitudinal direction of the cabinet 100 among all circumferential surfaces of the frame body 110. The side cover 131 may have a substantially flat plate shape.

[0076] The side covers 131 may be a pair of side covers 131. The pair of side covers 131 may be spaced apart from each other in the width direction of the cabinet 100. The pair of side covers 131 may surround both side surfaces of the frame body 110. In one or more embodiments, the inner surface of one of the pair of side covers 131 may face the outer surface of the first outer frame 112. The inner surface of the other of the pair of side covers 131 may face the outer surface of the second outer frame 113. The side covers 131 may be fixed to the base 111 in any suitable manner, such as by welding, bolting, etc.

[0077] The end cap 132 may surround the rear surface of the frame body 110. The rear surface of the frame body 110 may be any of the circumferential surfaces of the frame body 110 that are parallel to the width direction of the cabinet 100. The end cap 132 may have a substantially flat plate shape. The inner surface of the end cap 132 may face the first outer frame 112, the second outer frame 113, and the inner frame 114 located at the rearmost end of the plurality of first outer frames 112, the plurality of second outer frames 113, and the plurality of inner frames 114. The end cap 132 may be secured to the base 111 in any suitable manner, such as by welding, bolting, etc.

[0078] The top cover 133 may surround the upper surface of the frame body 110. The top cover 133 may have a substantially flat plate shape. The inner surface of the top cover 133 may face the upper end portions of the plurality of first outer frames 112, the upper end portions of the plurality of second outer frames 113, and the upper end portions of the plurality of inner frames 114. The end cover 132 may be fixed to the upper end portions of the first outer frames 112, the upper end portions of the second outer frames 113, and the upper end portions of the inner frames 114 in any suitable manner, such as by welding, bolting, etc.

[0079] The door 134 may surround the front surface of the frame body 110. The front surface of the frame body 110 may be the remaining surface of the frame body 110 located on the opposite side of the end cover 132 among the circumferential surfaces of the frame body 110 that are parallel (or substantially parallel) to the width direction of the cabinet 100. The door 134 may have a substantially flat plate shape. The inner surface of the door 134 may face the first outer frame 112, the second outer frame 113, and the inner frame 114 located at the front end among the plurality of first outer frames 112, the plurality of second outer frames 113, and the plurality of inner frames 114. One side of the door 134 may be rotatably connected to any one of the side covers 131, or to a separate structure mounted on the base 111. The door 134 may open or close the interior space of the frame body 110 depending on the direction of rotation of the door 134.

[0080] The first direction (to be described below) may be a direction from the door 134 toward the end cover 132 among the directions parallel (or substantially parallel) to the longitudinal direction of the cabinet 100, and the second direction may be any direction intersecting with the first direction among the directions parallel (or substantially parallel) to the width direction of the cabinet 100.

[0081] The battery module 200 can be used as a unit structure for storing and supplying electricity in an energy storage system. The battery module 200 may include a module housing and a plurality of battery cells housed within the module housing. The battery cells may be prismatic, cylindrical, and / or pouch-type secondary batteries, wherein an electrode assembly including a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate placed on both sides of a separator is located within the cell housing and is capable of charging or releasing a predetermined amount of electricity. The battery module 200 may have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box shape.

[0082] The battery module 200 may include a plurality of battery modules 200. The plurality of battery modules 200 may be arranged in at least two rows in the second direction (i.e., a direction parallel (or substantially parallel) to the width direction of the cabinet 100). In one or more embodiments, the plurality of battery modules 200 may be arranged in two rows in the second direction, and the plurality of battery modules 200 arranged in different rows may be within the first and second accommodation spaces 115, 116. The plurality of battery modules 200 may be stacked vertically within each of the first and second accommodation spaces 115, 116.

[0083] The battery module 200 may be positioned on and supported by the support rails 120. A lower surface of the battery module 200 may contact a pair of support rails 120 facing each other in the width direction of the cabinet 100 inside the first or second accommodation space 115 and 116.

[0084] The distance between the bottom surfaces of a pair of vertically adjacent battery modules 200 within the first accommodation space 115 or the second accommodation space 116 may be greater than the height of any one of the battery modules 200. In other words, the height of the battery module 200 may be less than the spacing between a pair of vertically adjacent support rails 120 within the first accommodation space 115 or the second accommodation space 116.

[0085] An exhaust port B may be provided in the upper surface of the battery module 200, the exhaust port B being configured to discharge flames or gases generated when battery cells housed inside the battery module 200 burn or thermally runaway from the battery module 200. The exhaust port B may be a plurality of exhaust ports B. The plurality of exhaust ports B may be arranged in at least two rows in the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the battery module 200.

[0086] A communication device for communicating with an external device and a control device for controlling power transmission may be mounted on a front surface of the battery module 200 facing the door 134 .

[0087] The first duct 300 may face the exhaust port B of the battery module 200 and may provide a primary path for flames or gases emitted from the exhaust port B. Because the battery modules 200 are vertically stacked within the first accommodation space 115 or the second accommodation space 116, embodiments of the first duct 300 may include empty spaces between vertically adjacent battery modules 200. The longitudinal direction of the first duct 300 may extend in the first direction (i.e., the longitudinal direction of the cabinet 100).

[0088] The first channels 300 may include a plurality of first channels 300. The plurality of first channels 300 may be arranged between vertically adjacent battery modules 200. The first channels 300 may be arranged in two rows in the second direction. The first channels 300 arranged in different rows may be provided in the first accommodation space 115 and the second accommodation space 116.

[0089] The first channel 300 may include a first end portion 310 and a second end portion 320 .

[0090] The first end portion 310 and the second end portion 320 may be disposed spaced apart from each other in the first direction. The first end portion 310 may face the inner surface of the door 134 and may be spaced apart from the inner surface of the door 134 by a predetermined distance. The second end portion 320 may face the inner surface of the end cover 132 and may be spaced apart from the inner surface of the end cover 132 by a predetermined distance.

[0091] The second channel 400 may be inside the cabinet 100 and may be connected to the second end portion 320 of the first channel 300. The second channel 400 may be configured to serve as a component that provides a secondary movement path for flames or gases that have passed through the first channel 300. An embodiment of the second channel 400 may include an empty space between the rear surface of the battery module 200 and the inner surface of the end cover 132. The second channel 400 may intersect with the first channel 300. That is, the second channel 400 may extend vertically in the height direction of the cabinet 100. One surface of the second channel 400 may be connected to the second end portions 320 of the plurality of first channels 300.

[0092] The volume of the second passage 400 may be greater than that of the first passage 300. In one or more embodiments, the volume of the first passage 300 may be approximately 6.5 L, and the volume of the second passage 400 may be approximately 38.6 L. Accordingly, the second passage 400 maintains a relatively lower pressure than the first passage 300, so that the flame or gas discharged from the exhaust port B can be naturally transferred from the first passage 300 to the second passage 400 without any external force.

[0093] The energy storage system according to this embodiment may further include a first separator P1 and a second separator P2.

[0094] The first partition P1 may be between the side cover 131 and the battery module 200. The first partition P1 may have a substantially flat plate shape. The two surfaces of the first partition P1 may face the inner surface of the side cover 131 and the side surface of the battery module 200 in parallel (or substantially parallel). The first partition P1 may include a material having higher heat resistance and insulation performance than the side cover 131. In one or more embodiments, the side cover 131 may include a metal material (such as steel, aluminum, etc.), and the first partition P1 may include a material such as mica. Accordingly, in the event of a fire, the first partition P1 can lower the temperature of the side cover 131 and prevent (or at least reduce) damage to the side cover 131 due to the flames, thereby preventing (or at least reducing) the fire from spreading to adjacent equipment installed outside the cabinet 100.

[0095] The first separator P1 may include a plurality of first separators P1. Some of the plurality of first separators P1 may be located between the battery module 200 and one side cover 131 within the first receiving space 115. The remaining first separators P1 may be located between the battery module 200 and the other side cover 131 within the second receiving space 116.

[0096] The plurality of first partitions P1 facing the battery modules 200 within the first storage space 115 may be located between a pair of adjacent first outer frames 112. The plurality of first partitions P1 facing the battery modules 200 within the second storage space 116 may be located between a pair of adjacent second outer frames 113. The inner surfaces of the first partitions P1 may contact the side surfaces of the support rails 120. Accordingly, the first partitions P1 may prevent (or at least reduce) the discharge of flames or smoke introduced into the first duct 300 through the side surfaces of the first duct 300 to the outside.

[0097] The second separator P2 may be between the battery modules 200 arranged in different rows. That is, the second separator P2 may be between the first storage space 115 and the second storage space 116. The second separator P2 may have a substantially flat plate shape. The two surfaces of the second separator P2 may face the side surfaces of the battery module 200 inside the first storage space 115 and the side surfaces of the battery module 200 inside the second storage space 116 in parallel (or substantially parallel). The second separator P2 may include the same material as the first separator P1. Accordingly, the second separator P2 may prevent (or at least reduce) a fire occurring in any one of the first storage space 115 and the second storage space 116 from spreading to the other of the first storage space 115 and the second storage space 116.

[0098] The second partition P2 may include a plurality of second partitions P2. The plurality of second partitions P2 may be disposed between a pair of adjacent inner frames 114. The inner surfaces of the second partitions P2 may contact the side surfaces of the support rails 120. Accordingly, the second partitions P2, together with the first partition P1, may prevent (or at least mitigate) the discharge of flames or smoke introduced into the first duct 300 through the side surfaces of the first duct 300 to the outside.

[0099] The guide member 500 is located in the first channel 300 and is configured to guide the movement of flames or gases discharged from the exhaust port B in a first direction. That is, the guide member 500 can be configured to serve as a component that guides the flames or gases discharged from the exhaust port B toward the second end portion 320 connected to the second channel 400. Accordingly, in the event of a fire, the guide member 500 can prevent (or at least mitigate) secondary damage, such as burning of the communication device and control device mounted on the front surface of the battery module 200, damage to the door 134 due to gas pressure, etc.

[0100] Figure 6 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a configuration of a guide member 500 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a configuration of a guide member 500 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0101] refer to Figures 1 to 7 , the guide member 500 may include a guide blade 510 and a sealing member 520 .

[0102] The guide vanes 510 may be configured to serve as a component that blocks (or at least mitigates) the discharge of flames or gases introduced into the first passage 300 from the first end portion 310. The guide vanes 510 may have a substantially plate shape and may be located between the first end portion 310 and the door 134. Both surfaces of the guide vanes 510 may face the first end portion 310 and the door 134. The vertical width of the guide vanes 510 may be smaller than the vertical width of the first passage 300. In this case, the guide vanes 510 may be inserted into the interior of the first end portion 310. In contrast, the vertical width of the guide vanes 510 may be greater than the vertical width of the first passage 300. In this case, the guide vanes 510 may be disposed outside the first end portion 310 and may face the first end portion 310.

[0103] The guide blades 510 may include a plurality of guide blades 510. The plurality of guide blades 510 may each face the first end portions 310 of each first channel 300 stacked in the vertical direction. The plurality of guide blades 510 may be arranged in two rows in the second direction. The two ends of the guide blades 510 facing the first channel 300 in the first accommodating space 115 may be fixed to the first outer frame 112 and the inner frame 114. The two ends of the guide blades 510 facing the first channel 300 in the second accommodating space 116 may be fixed to the second outer frame 113 and the inner frame 114.

[0104] The guide vane 510 may include a metallic material having high rigidity, such as steel, etc., to prevent (or at least reduce) damage due to pressure of gas, etc. introduced into the first passage 300 .

[0105] The sealing member 520 may be coupled to the guide vanes 510 and may seal the gap between the first end portion 310 and the guide vanes 510. The sealing member 520 may be elastically deformable. That is, the sealing member 520 may be configured to serve as a component (which is elastically deformable) that completely (or substantially completely) seals the first end portion 310 by filling the gap between the guide vanes 510 (which is rigid) and the battery module 200. The sealing member 520 may include a flexible material (such as rubber, silicone, etc.) and may completely (or substantially completely) surround the outer surface of the guide vanes 510.

[0106] The exhaust member 600 may be connected to the second duct 400 and may be configured to exhaust the gas introduced into the second duct 400 to the outside of the cabinet 100. Further, the exhaust member 600 may be configured to block (or at least reduce) the flame introduced into the second duct 400 from being discharged to the outside of the cabinet 100. Accordingly, the exhaust member 600 may be configured to prevent (or at least reduce) an excessive increase in the internal pressure of the cabinet 100 in the event of a fire, and simultaneously prevent (or at least reduce) the spread of the fire due to the outflow of the flame.

[0107] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional perspective view schematically illustrating the configuration of the discharge member 600 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating a configuration of a discharge member 600 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0108] refer to Figure 8 and Figure 9 , the discharge member 600 may include a discharge plate 610 , a third channel 620 , a blocking member 630 , and a cover 640 .

[0109] The drain plate 610 may be located outside the cabinet 100. The drain plate 610 may have a substantially flat shape, and the lower surface of the drain plate 610 may face the upper surface of the top cover 133. The lower surface of the drain plate 610 may be spaced apart from the upper surface of the top cover 133 by a predetermined distance. Accordingly, a space in which a third channel 620, described below, is formed may be formed between the drain plate 610 and the top cover 133. The drain plate 610 may include a plurality of drain plates 610. The plurality of drain plates 610 may be arranged parallel (or substantially parallel) to each other on the top cover 133.

[0110] At least one discharge hole 611 may be provided in the discharge plate 610 to provide a path through which flame or gas (described below) introduced into the third passage 620 is discharged. The discharge hole 611 may be a hole vertically passing through the discharge plate 610. The discharge hole 611 may be a plurality of discharge holes 611. The plurality of discharge holes 611 may be spaced apart from each other in the discharge plate 610.

[0111] An embodiment of the third channel 620 may include an empty space formed inside the discharge plate 610 (e.g., between the discharge plate 620 and the top cover 133). One side of the third channel 620 may pass through the top cover 133 and may be connected to the upper end portion of the second channel 400. The other side of the third channel 620 may be connected to the discharge hole 611. The other side of the third channel 620 may be connected to all of the plurality of discharge holes 611. The third channel 620 may intersect with the second channel 400. That is, the third channel 620 may be perpendicular (or substantially perpendicular) to the height direction of the cabinet 100. Accordingly, the third channel 620 may be configured to reduce the moving speed of the flame transmitted from the second channel 400, and thus may further improve the flame blocking performance of the blocking member 630 described below.

[0112] The blocking member 630 may face the discharge hole 611 and may be configured to block (or at least reduce) the flame introduced into the third passage 620 from passing through the discharge hole 611. At the same time, the blocking member 630 may be configured to allow the gas introduced into the third passage 620 to pass through the discharge hole 611.

[0113] The blocking member 630 may include a blocking filter 631 and a filter holder 632 .

[0114] The blocking filter 631 may be a plate in which a plurality of meshes are arranged in a lattice shape, and the plurality of meshes are configured to allow the gas discharged from the discharge hole 611 to pass through, but to block (or at least reduce) the passage of the flame. The blocking filter 631 may comprise a material with high heat resistance, for example, at least one of stainless steel, copper, nickel, titanium, silver, tungsten and aluminum or an alloy thereof. The blocking filter 631 may face the discharge hole 611 on the discharge plate 610. In one or more embodiments, the blocking filter 631 may face the discharge hole 611 inside the third channel 620. The blocking filter 631 may be a plurality of blocking filters 631. A plurality of blocking filters 631 may be stacked relative to the discharge plate 610 along the direction of passage of the discharge hole 611 (i.e., along the vertical direction).

[0115] The filter bracket 632 can support the barrier filter 631 relative to the discharge plate 610. The filter bracket 632 can face the discharge plate 610 with the barrier filter 631 located therebetween. The inner region of the filter bracket 632 can surround the edge of the barrier filter 631 and can be secured to the edge of the barrier filter 632 in any suitable manner, such as by welding, bolting, etc. The outer region of the filter bracket 632 can contact the discharge plate 610 and can be secured to the discharge plate 610 in any suitable manner, such as by welding, screwing, etc.

[0116] The cover 640 may face the blocking member 630 and may be configured to guide the discharge of the gas having passed through the blocking member 630 .

[0117] The cover 640 may include a cover body 641 and a guide hole 642 .

[0118] The cover body 641 may have a box shape with a hollow interior and an open side. The cover body 641 may be arranged so that its open side faces the blocking member 630. The area of the cover body 641 may be larger than the area of the blocking member 630, and the edge area of the cover body 642 may be fixed to the exhaust plate 610 in any suitable manner (such as by welding, bolting, etc.). Accordingly, the cover body 641 may be configured to prevent (or at least reduce) the dispersion of foreign matter contained in the gas that has passed through the blocking filter 631 to the outside of the cabinet 100.

[0119] The guide hole 642 may pass through the cover body 641 and may be configured to guide the discharge direction of the gas introduced into the cover body 641. Accordingly, the guide hole 642 may be configured to guide the gas discharged to the outside of the cabinet 100 to move in a specific direction, thereby preventing (or at least reducing) damage to adjacent parts, etc., that are sensitive to contact with the gas. The guide hole 642 may be a hole passing through the side surface of the cover body 641. The guide hole 642 may be a plurality of guide holes 642. The plurality of guide holes 642 may be spaced apart from each other along the outer peripheral surface of the cover body 641.

[0120] Hereinafter, the operation of the energy storage system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0121] Figures 10 to 13 A diagram schematically illustrating the operation of the energy storage system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0122] refer to Figure 10 , when a fire occurs in any one of the battery modules 200 , flames or gases discharged from the exhaust port B of the corresponding battery module 200 may be introduced into the first channel 300 facing the exhaust port B of the corresponding battery module 200 .

[0123] The flame or gas introduced into the first passage 300 may move toward the first end portion 310 and the second end portion 320 in an extending direction of the first passage 300 .

[0124] refer to Figure 11 , the guide member 500 can block the flame or gas moving toward the first end portion 310 from being discharged to the outside of the first end portion 310, and due to contact (interference) with the guide member 500, the moving direction can be changed (redirected) to the direction toward the second end portion 320 (i.e., the first direction).

[0125] refer to Figure 12 , the flame or gas moving toward the second end portion 320 may be introduced into the second channel 400. In one or more embodiments, the second channel 400 intersects the first channel 300, and thus the movement speed of the flame or gas introduced into the second channel 400 may be reduced.

[0126] The flame or gas introduced into the second passage 400 may move toward the upper end portion of the second passage 400 in the extending direction of the second passage 400 and be introduced into the third passage 620. In one or more embodiments, the third passage 620 intersects with the second passage 400, and thus the movement speed of the flame or gas introduced into the second passage 400 may be reduced secondarily.

[0127] In one or more embodiments, the volume of the second channel 400 is greater than that of the first channel 300 , and thus the flame or gas introduced into the first channel 300 may continuously move toward the second channel 400 without any additional external force.

[0128] refer to Figure 13 , the flame or gas introduced into the third channel 620 may be transmitted to the discharge hole 611 in an extending direction of the third channel 620 .

[0129] The flame introduced into the discharge hole 611 may come into contact with the blocking filter 631 , and the blocking filter 631 may block (or at least mitigate) the passage of the flame by absorbing the heat of the flame through heat exchange with the flame.

[0130] The gas introduced into the discharge hole 611 may pass through the mesh of the blocking filter 631 and may be transferred into the cover body 641 .

[0131] The gas introduced into the cover body 641 may be eventually discharged from the inside of the cabinet 100 through the guide hole 642 .

[0132] Hereinafter, an energy storage system according to another embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0133] The energy storage system according to this embodiment may be configured to be identical to the reference 1 only in the detailed configuration of the guide member 500. Figures 1 to 13 The energy storage systems according to the embodiments of the present disclosure described are different.

[0134] Accordingly, when describing the energy storage system according to the present embodiment, only the detailed configuration of the guide member 500 , which has not been described in the description of the energy storage system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, will be described.

[0135] Figure 14 Schematically illustrating a plan view of an energy storage system according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the configuration of an energy storage system according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 16 This is a diagram schematically illustrating a state where flame or gas is discharged from an exhaust port.

[0136] refer to Figures 14 to 16 , the guide member 500 according to the present embodiment may further include a guide skylight 530 .

[0137] The guide skylight 530 may be inside the first channel 300. The interior of the guide skylight 530 may be empty, and the lower surface of the guide skylight may face the exhaust port B of the battery module 200. The lower surface of the guide skylight 530 may be open. Accordingly, the flame or gas discharged from the exhaust port B may be introduced into the guide skylight 530. The circumferential or outer peripheral surface of the guide skylight 530 facing the second end portion 320 may be open. Accordingly, the guide skylight 530 may be configured to change (redirect) the moving direction of the flame or gas discharged from the exhaust port B toward the second end portion 320 to guide the flame or air introduced into the first channel 300 to be transmitted to the second channel 400 more quickly.

[0138] The guide skylight 530 may be a plurality of guide skylights, and each of the plurality of guide skylights 530 may face one of the exhaust ports B. The plurality of guide skylights 530 may be integrally connected by a plate or the like, or may be separated from each other.

[0139] Hereinafter, an energy storage system according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0140] Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a configuration of an energy storage system according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 18 A diagram schematically illustrating the operation of an energy storage system according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0141] refer to Figure 17 and Figure 18 The energy storage system according to this embodiment may further include a backflow prevention component 700 .

[0142] The energy storage system according to this embodiment can be configured as Figures 1 to 13 Energy storage system described or referenced Figures 14 to 16 The energy storage system described is different in that it further includes a backflow prevention member 700 .

[0143] Accordingly, when describing the energy storage system according to this embodiment, only the reference Figures 1 to 16 The backflow prevention member 700 is not depicted.

[0144] The backflow prevention member 700 may be between the first channel 300 and the second channel 400 and may be configured to block flames or gases introduced into the second channel 400 from moving back into the first channel 300. Accordingly, the backflow prevention member 700 may be configured to prevent (or at least mitigate) damage to the battery module 200 that may occur when flames or gases move back into the first channel 300 due to a sudden pressure drop in the second channel 400. Furthermore, because the pressure of the first channel 300, where no fire has occurred, is lower than the pressure of the second channel 400, the backflow prevention member 700 may be configured to prevent (or at least mitigate) flames or gases transmitted to the second channel 400 from being introduced into the first channel 300, where no fire has occurred.

[0145] The backflow prevention member 700 may include a check valve 710 .

[0146] The check valve 710 may be inside the second end portion 320. Examples of the check valve 710 may include various types of pressure control valves configured to open in response to the pressure of the first channel 300 exceeding the pressure of the second channel 400, and configured to close in response to the pressure of the first channel 300 being lower than the pressure of the second channel 400. The check valve 710 may be a plurality of check valves 710. Each of the plurality of check valves 710 may be provided in the second end portion 320 of a corresponding one of the first channels 300.

[0147] According to the present disclosure, damage caused by fire can be reduced by allowing flames or gases generated due to combustion or thermal runaway of a battery module to move through a set path.

[0148] According to the present disclosure, by allowing gas to be discharged to the outside of the cabinet and simultaneously blocking flames from being discharged to the outside of the cabinet, the spread of fire due to the outflow of flames can be prevented (or at least mitigated).

[0149] According to the present disclosure, the first partition and the second partition can prevent (or at least reduce) the spread of a fire occurring in any battery module to an adjacent battery module or an adjacent device installed outside the cabinet.

[0150] According to the present disclosure, by changing (redirecting) the movement path of the flame multiple times, the transmission speed of the flame can be reduced, thereby further improving the flame blocking performance of the blocking member.

[0151] However, the effects obtainable by the present disclosure are not limited to the above effects, and other technical effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the above description of the present disclosure.

[0152] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings, these embodiments are merely illustrative, and it is understood that those skilled in the art can derive various modifications and other equivalent embodiments based on the embodiments.

Claims

1. An energy storage system, characterized in that: The energy storage system comprises: Cabinets; a plurality of battery modules, each of the plurality of battery modules including an exhaust port within the cabinet; a first passage facing the exhaust port and including a first end portion and a second end portion spaced apart from each other in a first direction; a second passageway within the cabinet and connected to the second end portion; a guide member in the first passage and configured to guide movement of flame or gas discharged from the exhaust port in the first direction; and An exhaust member is connected to the second passage and is configured to exhaust the gas introduced into the second passage to the outside of the cabinet.

2. The energy storage system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plurality of battery modules are stacked vertically inside the cabinet; and The first channel is between a pair of vertically adjacent battery modules among the plurality of battery modules.

3. The energy storage system according to claim 2, characterized in that A distance between bottom surfaces of the pair of vertically adjacent battery modules is greater than a height of any one of the plurality of battery modules.

4. The energy storage system according to claim 1, characterized in that The volume of the second channel is greater than the volume of the first channel.

5. The energy storage system according to claim 1, characterized in that The first channel intersects the second channel.

6. The energy storage system according to claim 1, characterized in that The cabinet includes: Frame body; a support rail inside the frame body, the support rail supporting the plurality of battery modules; and A cover surrounds an outer surface of the frame body.

7. The energy storage system according to claim 6, characterized in that: the cover includes a pair of side covers facing side surfaces of the plurality of battery modules and spaced apart from each other in a second direction intersecting the first direction; and The energy storage system further includes a first separator between the pair of side covers and the plurality of battery modules.

8. The energy storage system according to claim 7, characterized in that The first spacer is in contact with a side surface of the support rail.

9. The energy storage system according to claim 7, characterized in that: The plurality of battery modules are arranged in at least two rows in the second direction; and The energy storage system further includes a second separator between battery modules arranged in different rows among the plurality of battery modules.

10. The energy storage system according to claim 9, characterized in that The second partition is in contact with a side surface of the support rail.

11. The energy storage system according to claim 7, characterized in that The cover further comprises: a door facing the first end portion, the door being configured to open or close an inner space of the frame body; and An end cover is spaced apart from the door and faces the second end portion.

12. The energy storage system according to claim 1, characterized in that The guide member includes a guide vane facing the first end portion, and is configured to block the flame or gas introduced into the first passage from being discharged from the first end portion.

13. The energy storage system according to claim 12, characterized in that The guide member further includes a sealing member coupled to the guide vane, the sealing member sealing a gap between the first end portion and the guide vane.

14. The energy storage system according to claim 13, characterized in that The sealing member is elastically deformable.

15. The energy storage system according to claim 12, characterized in that The guide member further includes a guide louver facing the exhaust port, the guide louver being configured to change a moving direction of the flame or gas discharged from the exhaust port toward the second end portion.

16. The energy storage system according to claim 1, characterized in that The discharge member comprises: a drain hole on the outside of the cabinet; a third passage inside the discharge hole and connected to the second passage and the discharge hole; a blocking member facing the discharge hole, the blocking member being configured to block the flame introduced into the third passage from passing through the discharge hole; and A hood faces the blocking member and is configured to guide exhaust of the gas passing through the blocking member.

17. The energy storage system according to claim 16, characterized in that The blocking member includes a blocking filter including a plurality of meshes.

18. The energy storage system according to claim 16, characterized in that The third channel intersects the second channel.

19. The energy storage system according to claim 1, characterized in that The energy storage system further includes a backflow prevention member between the first channel and the second channel, the backflow prevention member being configured to block the flame or gas introduced into the second channel from flowing back into the first channel.

20. The energy storage system according to claim 19, characterized in that The backflow prevention member includes a check valve configured to open in response to a pressure in the first passage exceeding a pressure in the second passage.

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