Pad, battery module that contains it and battery pack

Abstract

Pad, including: a surface printing layer in the form of a plate; a first barrier layer and a second barrier layer each stacked on both surfaces of the surface printing layer in a predetermined stacking direction; and a reinforcing layer arranged in the predetermined stacking direction.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a pad, a battery module including the same, and a battery pack, and more particularly to a pad capable of achieving high heat resistance with a small thickness and effectively mitigating the influence of a swelling phenomenon, a battery module including the pad, and a battery pack. 2. Description of the state of the art

[0002] A battery module is a component of a battery assembly. The battery module may contain a plurality of battery cells in an internal storage space.

[0003] If thermal runaway occurs in one of the numerous battery cells in the battery module, heat or flames generated within the battery cell can easily spread to neighboring cells, causing fatal safety issues.

[0004] However, if a battery is used for an extended period of time, at least part of a battery cell may expand during the charge / discharge process for reasons such as gas formation due to a side reaction. This phenomenon can be referred to as swelling. Swelling of battery cells can cause physical damage to neighboring cells.

[0005] To prevent such damage caused by swelling, attempts have been made to insert a flame-retardant element or a surface pressure element between adjacent battery cells. However, the insertion of the above-mentioned element may lead to a further increase in the volume of the battery module. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The object of the present disclosure is to provide a pad that achieves high heat resistance with a small thickness while effectively mitigating the influence of a swelling phenomenon.

[0007] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a battery module and a battery pack with improved safety and minimized volume increase.

[0008] Meanwhile, the present disclosure can be widely applied in the fields of electric vehicles, battery charging stations, energy storage systems (ESS), and other green technologies such as photovoltaics and wind energy using batteries. Furthermore, the present disclosure can be used in green mobility, including electric and hybrid vehicles, to prevent climate change by suppressing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

[0009] A pad according to embodiments of the present disclosure may include a surface printing layer in the form of a plate, a first barrier layer and a second barrier layer each stacked on both surfaces of the surface printing layer in a predetermined stacking direction, and a reinforcing layer arranged in the predetermined stacking direction.

[0010] The thickness of the pad can be between 0.55 mm and 5.5 mm.

[0011] The first barrier layer and the second barrier layer may each independently contain at least one material selected from fibers and an inorganic material.

[0012] The thickness of the first barrier layer and the second barrier layer can each independently be between 0.05 mm and 1.0 mm.

[0013] The surface printing layer may contain at least one selected from the group consisting of silicone, polyurethane (PU), acrylic, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), isoprene rubber, butadiene rubber, chloroprene rubber, and butyl rubber.

[0014] The thickness of the surface printing layer can be between 0.2 mm and 4.0 mm.

[0015] The thickness of the surface printing layer can be between 20% and 82% of the total thickness of the pad.

[0016] The reinforcement layer may include an expansion layer, and the expansion layer may be disposed in the predetermined stacking direction at least between one of the surface printing layer and the first barrier layer and the surface printing layer and the second barrier layer.

[0017] The expansion layer may contain at least one selected from the group consisting of expanded graphite, silicate and phosphorus-based flame retardants.

[0018] The thickness of the expansion layer can be between 0.015 mm and 1.0 mm.

[0019] The reinforcing layer may include an expansion layer, the surface printing layer may include a first surface printing layer and a second surface printing layer stacked in the predetermined stacking direction, and the expansion layer may be disposed between the first surface printing layer and the second surface printing layer.

[0020] The reinforcing layer may further comprise a support layer, and the surface printing layer may comprise a first surface printing layer and a second surface printing layer stacked in the predetermined stacking direction, and the support layer is arranged between the first surface printing layer and the second surface printing layer.

[0021] The support layer may contain at least one selected from the group consisting of graphite, mica, aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, wollastonite and aerogel.

[0022] The thickness of the support layer can be between 0.01 mm and 2.5 mm.

[0023] The reinforcement layer may further include a support layer, and the support layer is stacked on at least one of the first barrier layer and the second barrier layer in the predetermined stacking direction.

[0024] The reinforcing layer may further include a support layer disposed between the surface pressure layer and the expansion layer.

[0025] The reinforcement layer may further include a support layer, and the support layer may be disposed in the predetermined stacking direction at least between one of the expansion layer and the first barrier layer and the expansion layer and the second barrier layer.

[0026] A battery module according to embodiments of the present disclosure may include a plurality of battery cells stacked in a predetermined stacking direction, a module case accommodating the plurality of battery cells, and a pad disposed between at least a pair of battery cells adjacent to each other among the plurality of battery cells, the pad comprising: a surface printing layer having a plate shape, a first barrier layer and a second barrier layer each stacked on both surfaces of the surface printing layer in the predetermined stacking direction, and a reinforcing layer disposed in the predetermined stacking direction of the pad.

[0027] The plurality of battery cells may be stacked to include at least one battery cell having one surface on which the pad is disposed and another surface opposite the one surface on which the pad is not disposed.

[0028] A battery pack according to embodiments of the present disclosure may include a battery cell stack and a case accommodating the battery cell stack including a plurality of battery cell stacks, wherein the battery cell stack includes: a plurality of battery cells stacked in a predetermined stacking direction; and a pad disposed between at least a pair of battery cells adjacent to each other among the plurality of battery cells; and wherein the pad includes: a surface printing layer having a plate shape; a first barrier layer and a second barrier layer respectively stacked on both surfaces of the surface printing layer in the predetermined stacking direction; and a reinforcing layer disposed in the predetermined stacking direction. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig.1 is a cross-sectional view of a pad according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a structural view showing a pad according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a pad according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a pad according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 5 is a structural view showing a pad according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a pad according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a pad according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig.8 is a structural view showing a pad according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a pad according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a pad according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 11 is a structural view showing a pad according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a pad according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a pad according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 14 is a structural view showing a pad according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig.15 is an exploded perspective view of a pad according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing a pad according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 17 is a structural view showing a pad according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 18 is an exploded perspective view of a pad according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 19 is an exploded perspective view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 20 is a top view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 21 is a view showing an example of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, those skilled in the art will understand that the embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings are intended to provide a better understanding of the spirit of the present invention and do not limit the scope of the invention disclosed in the detailed description and the appended claims. Furthermore, throughout the disclosure, unless otherwise stated, the word "comprise," "include," "contain," or "have" does not imply the exclusion of any other component, but rather means the further inclusion of other components, such that elements, materials, or methods not further listed are not excluded.

[0030] In this description, "equal or uniform" means "equal or uniform" within an acceptable margin of error, unless otherwise specified. For example, the fact that certain components or measurements of physical properties are equal may mean that the two objects being compared are not only completely alike but also equal within the margin of error. On the other hand, the fact that certain measurements of physical properties are equal may mean that the difference in measurements between the objects is approximately less than 5%, more specifically less than 3%, and even more specifically less than 1%.

[0031] In this description, the fact that the angles formed by the two objects are perpendicular or parallel to each other may mean not only that they are geometrically perpendicular or parallel, but also that they lie within a small margin of error.

[0032] The numerical range used in the present disclosure includes all values ​​within the range including the lower limit and the upper limit, increments logically derived in one form and extending in a defined range, all doubly bounded values, and all possible combinations of the upper limit and the lower limit in the numerical range defined in different forms.

[0033] Unless otherwise defined herein, "approximately" means within 30%, 25%, 20%, 15%, 10% or 5% of the stated value.

[0034] In this specification, the term “cross-section” may refer to a surface observed when a stacked object is cut in a direction perpendicular to a stacking surface.

[0035] As used herein, "arranged" can mean, without limitation, a positional relationship by which one object can be positioned adjacent to another object. As a non-limiting example, it can mean coating one object with another object, adhering one object to another object with an adhesive material, fusing one object to another through the application of heat, pressure, or the like, or simply positioning at least one part of one object in any space so that it abuts at least one part of another object.

[0036] In this description, the “X direction”, the “Y direction” and the “Z direction” may refer to any of the directions that form an orthogonal coordinate system with mutually perpendicular X, Y and Z axes in a three-dimensional space.

[0037] The term “lithium secondary battery” as used herein may refer to a battery that generates electrical energy through oxidation and reduction reactions when lithium ions are introduced into and removed from the positive and negative electrodes.

[0038] The term “battery cell” as used here may refer to a basic unit of a lithium secondary battery that can charge and discharge electrical energy.

[0039] The present disclosure is described in detail below. However, this is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the disclosure to the specific embodiments described by way of example. Pad

[0040] A pad 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a plate-shaped surface printing layer 120; a first barrier layer 131; and a second barrier layer 132 stacked on both surfaces of the surface printing layer 120 in a predetermined stacking direction; and a reinforcing layer (110, 140) arranged in the stacking direction.

[0041] The surface printing layer 120, the first barrier layer 131, the second barrier layer 132, and the reinforcing layer (110, 140) may each be in the shape of a plate and have the same area. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this and may be implemented in various shapes, such as at least partially having a curved surface, as required, and at least one of the areas may be different. On the other hand, the surface printing layer 120, the first barrier layer 131, the second barrier layer 132, and the reinforcing layer (110, 140) may have a rectangular or square cross-section with respect to a plane perpendicular to the stacking direction, but are not necessarily limited thereto.Furthermore, the cross section may be formed as a circle, ellipse, triangle, trapezoid, parallelogram or the like, or the cross section may include at least a part of the circle, ellipse, triangle, trapezoid or parallelogram.

[0042] In one embodiment, the thickness of the pad may be 0.55 mm to 5.5 mm, particularly 0.6 mm to 5.0 mm, and even more specifically 0.75 mm to 4.5 mm. If the thickness of the pad 100 is less than the numerical range described above, the effect of blocking the spread of heat or flames to the adjacent cell in the event of a thermal runaway in the battery may be insignificant, and the effect of relieving the pressure exerted on the adjacent cell when a swelling phenomenon occurs in a cell may be insignificant.On the other hand, if the thickness of the pad 100 exceeds the numerical range described above, it is difficult to expect a significant improvement in the propagation blocking effect described above compared to an increase in the thickness or weight of the pad 100, and therefore the energy efficiency per volume and per weight of the battery module and the battery pack including the pad 10 may be deteriorated.

[0043] In one embodiment, the first barrier layer 131 and the second barrier layer 132 may be thermally insulating, heat-resistant, and fire-resistant to suppress the spread of heat or flames. Furthermore, the first barrier layer 131 and the second barrier layer 132 may be configured to maintain the shape and rigidity of the pad 100.

[0044] In one embodiment, the first barrier layer 131 and the second barrier layer 132 may each independently contain at least one selected from fibers and an inorganic material.

[0045] In one embodiment, the fibers may include at least one selected from inorganic fibers and organic fibers. In a specific embodiment, the inorganic fibers may include at least one selected from silica fibers, alumina fibers, silica-alumina fibers, glass fibers, ceramic fibers, basalt fibers, and the organic fibers may include aramid fibers.

[0046] According to an exemplary embodiment, the fibers may be in the form of long fibers or short fibers. When the fibers are in the form of long fibers, the first barrier layer 131 and / or the second barrier layer 132 may have a form in which the fibers are woven. The first barrier layer 131 and / or the second barrier layer 132 may comprise, but are not necessarily limited to, a woven or NCF fabric. On the other hand, the short fibers may not include long fibers. The diameter, length, and the like of the long fibers and / or short fibers are not particularly limited.

[0047] In one embodiment, the inorganic material may include at least one selected from the group consisting of mica, silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide, aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, wollastonite, and aerogel.

[0048] In one embodiment, the thicknesses of the first barrier layer 131 and the second barrier layer 132 may each independently be 0.05 mm to 1.0 mm, particularly 0.07 mm to 0.9 mm, and more specifically 0.1 mm to 0.85 mm. If the thicknesses of the first barrier layer 131 and the second barrier layer 132 are less than the numerical ranges described above, the effect of blocking the spread of heat or flames to neighboring cells in the event of a thermal runaway in the battery may be insignificant.On the other hand, when the thicknesses of the first barrier layer 131 and the second barrier layer 132 exceed the above-described numerical ranges, it is difficult to expect a significant improvement in the above-described propagation blocking effect compared to an increase in the thickness or weight of the first barrier layer 131 and / or the second barrier layer 132, so that the energy efficiency per volume and per weight of the battery module and the battery pack containing it may be deteriorated, and moreover, the thickness of the above-described first barrier layer 131 and / or the above-described second barrier layer 132 becomes too large compared to the total thickness of the above pad 100, so that the pressure blocking effect exerted on the adjacent cell in the event of a swelling phenomenon may be deteriorated.

[0049] In one embodiment, the surface pressure layer 120 can perform a surface pressure function to relieve / equalize the pressure exerted on adjacent cells due to physical deformation when a swelling phenomenon occurs in a battery cell due to continuous use of the battery. For this purpose, the surface pressure layer 120 can contain an elastic material so that the surface pressure layer 120 can be compressed upon application of an external force and restored after the application of the external force is discontinued.

[0050] In one embodiment, the surface printing layer 120 may include at least one material selected from the group consisting of silicone, polyurethane (PU), acrylic, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), isoprene rubber, butadiene rubber, chloroprene rubber, and butyl rubber. In one embodiment, the butadiene rubber may be butadiene rubber (BR), styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), acrylonitrile butadiene rubber, etc.

[0051] In one embodiment, the thickness of the surface printing layer may be 0.2 mm to 4.0 mm, particularly 0.5 mm to 3.0 mm, and even more specifically 0.7 mm to 2.5 mm. If the thickness of the surface printing layer 120 is less than the numerical range described above, the surface printing performance of the pad 100 may be compromised. On the other hand, if the thickness of the surface printing layer 120 exceeds the numerical range described above, the pad 100 may be so thick that the energy efficiency per volume and per weight of the battery module and the battery pack including the pad 100 may deteriorate.

[0052] In one embodiment, the thickness of the surface printing layer 120 may be 20% to 82%, more preferably 27% to 81%, and most preferably 32% to 80%, based on the total thickness of the pad 100. If the thickness of the surface printing layer 120 relative to the total thickness of the pad 100 is less than the numerical range described above, the surface printing performance of the pad 100 may deteriorate. On the other hand, if the thickness of the surface printing layer 120 exceeds the numerical range described above, the effect of blocking the spread of heat or flames of the pad 100 may be insignificant.

[0053] In one embodiment, the reinforcing layer (110, 140) is disposed between any two of the first barrier layer 131, the surface printing layer 120, and the second barrier layer 132 in the stacking direction, or stacked on the first barrier layer 131 or the second barrier layer 132, and may be heat-insulating, heat-resistant, and fire-resistant to further enhance the effect of blocking the spread of heat or flames of the pad 100. The detailed configuration of the reinforcing layer (110, 140) is described below.

[0054] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a pad according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0055] Fig. 2 is a structural view showing a pad according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0056] Fig.3 is an exploded perspective view of a pad according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0057] Referring to Fig. 1 to 3, in one embodiment, the reinforcement layer (110, 140) includes an expansion layer 140, and the expansion layer 140 may be disposed in the stacking direction at least between one of the surface printing layer 120 and the first barrier layer 131 and the surface printing layer 120 and the second barrier layer 132.

[0058] In one embodiment, the expansion layer 140 may be disposed between the surface printing layer 120 and the first barrier layer 131. In another embodiment, the expansion layer 140 may be disposed between the surface printing layer 120 and the second barrier layer 132.

[0059] In one embodiment, the expansion layer 140 may include a first expansion layer 141 and a second expansion layer 142.

[0060] In one embodiment, the expansion layer 140 can be arranged between the surface printing layer 120 and the first barrier layer 131, and between the surface printing layer 120 and the second barrier layer 132 in the stacking direction. The first expansion layer 141 can be arranged between the surface printing layer 120 and the first barrier layer 131, and the second expansion layer 142 can be arranged between the surface printing layer 120 and the second barrier layer 132.

[0061] In one embodiment, the expansion layer 140 is thermally insulating, heat-resistant, and fire-resistant, and can expand upon contact with heat or flames to block the path of heat or flames. For this purpose, the expansion layer 140 may contain a thermally expandable material.

[0062] In one embodiment, the expansion layer 140 may be disposed adjacent to the surface printing layer 120. In a specific embodiment, the expansion layer 140 may be stacked on the surface printing layer 120 or disposed between the surface printing layers 120.

[0063] In one embodiment, the expansion layer 140 may be disposed between the first barrier layer 131 and the second barrier layer 132.

[0064] In one embodiment, the expansion layer 140 may expand to a volume of 300% to 30,000% of the volume at room temperature at a temperature of 150°C to 300°C.

[0065] Due to the material properties of the surface printing layer 120, structural deformation may be observed at temperatures of 400°C or higher. When thermal runaway occurs in a battery, flames at temperatures of 1000°C to 1100°C may propagate under high pressure between the battery cells 200, and the surface printing layer 120 of the pad 100 disposed between the battery cells 200 may be lost due to the flames. If the surface printing layer 120 is lost, the refractory layers (the barrier layers 131, 132, etc.) in the pad 100 may come into contact with each other, thus reducing the heat resistance of the pad 100.

[0066] In one embodiment, during thermal runaway in the battery as described above, the expansion layer 140 suppresses the spread of heat or flames through an endothermic reaction and simultaneously expands upon contact with the heat or flames, thereby quickly compensating for the area loss of the surface pressure layer 120. Accordingly, even if the surface pressure layer 120 is lost in the event of thermal runaway, the expansion layer 140 compensates for the lost area and prevents contact between the refractory layers in the pad 100, thereby maintaining the distance between the refractory layers even in the event of thermal runaway. In particular, since the expansion layer 140 is incorporated in this manner, the heat resistance of the pad 100 can be further improved by disposing the expansion layer 140 adjacent to the surface pressure layer 120.

[0067] In one embodiment, the expansion layer 140 may contain at least one selected from the group consisting of expanded graphite, silicate, and phosphorus-based flame retardants.

[0068] In one embodiment, the silicate may contain at least one of the group consisting of sodium silicate, potassium silicate, and lithium silicate.

[0069] In one embodiment, the thickness of the expansion layer 140 may be between 0.015 mm and 1.0 mm, more specifically between 0.02 mm and 0.8 mm, and more specifically between 0.03 mm and 0.8 mm. If the thickness of the expansion layer 140 is less than the numerical range described above, the effect of enhancing the blocking of heat or flame propagation may be insignificant, and as a result, the effect of blocking the heat or flame propagation of the pad 100 may be insignificant.On the other hand, if the thickness of the expansion layer 140 exceeds the above-described numerical range, it is difficult to expect a significant improvement in the above-described propagation blocking effect compared to an increase in the thickness or weight of the above-described expansion layer 140, and therefore the energy efficiency per volume and per weight of the battery module and the battery pack including the expansion layer 140 may be deteriorated.

[0070] In one embodiment, when the expansion layer 140 comprises the first expansion layer 141 and the second expansion layer 142, the thickness of the expansion layer 140 may be the sum of the thicknesses of the first and second expansion layers 141 and 142.

[0071] In one embodiment, the first expansion layer 141 and the second expansion layer 142 may have the same thickness. However, the present disclosure is not necessarily limited thereto, and the thicknesses of the first expansion layer 141 and the second expansion layer 142 may differ from each other within the numerical range described above.

[0072] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a pad according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0073] Fig. 5 is a structural view showing a pad according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0074] Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a pad according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0075] Referring to Fig.4 to 6, in one embodiment, the reinforcement layer (110, 140) may comprise the expansion layer 140, the surface printing layer 120 may comprise a first surface printing layer 121 and a second surface printing layer 122 stacked in the stacking direction, and the expansion layer 140 may be disposed between the first and second surface printing layers 121 and 122.

[0076] In one embodiment, the surface printing layer 120 may include the first surface printing layer 121 and the second surface printing layer 122 stacked in the stacking direction. The first printing layer 121 may be arranged closer to the first barrier layer 131 than to the second barrier layer 132 in the pad 100, and the second printing layer 122 may be arranged closer to the second barrier layer 132 than to the first barrier layer 131 in the pad 100.

[0077] When the surface printing layer 120 comprises the first printing layer 121 and the second printing layer 122, in one embodiment, the thickness of the surface printing layer 120 may be the sum of the thicknesses of the first pressure-sensitive layer 121 and the first pressure-receptive layer 122.

[0078] In one embodiment, the first printing layer 121 and the second printing layer 122 may have the same thickness. However, the present disclosure is not necessarily limited thereto, and the thicknesses of the first surface printing layer 121 and the second surface printing layer 122 may differ from each other within the numerical ranges described above.

[0079] In addition, the description of the surface pressure layer 120, the reinforcement layer (110, 140) and the expansion layer 140 as shown in Fig. 1 to 3 may be applied here, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0080] Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a pad according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0081] Fig. 8 is a structural view showing a pad according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0082] Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a pad according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0083] Referring to Fig. 7 to 9, in one embodiment, the reinforcing layer (110, 140) may further comprise a support layer 110, the surface printing layer 120 may comprise the first surface printing layer 121 and the second surface printing layer 122 stacked in the stacking direction, and the support layer 110 may be disposed between the first and second surface printing layers 121 and 122.

[0084] In one embodiment, the support layer 110 is thermally insulating, heat-resistant, and fire-resistant, and expands little or not at all even upon contact with heat or flames, thereby supporting the shape and rigidity of the pad 100.

[0085] In one embodiment, the support layer 110 may contain at least one selected from the group consisting of graphite, mica, aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, wollastonite, and aerogel. In a specific embodiment, the support layer 110 may contain at least one of graphite and mica.

[0086] In one embodiment, the thickness of the support layer 110 may be 0.01 mm to 2.5 mm, particularly 0.03 mm to 2.0 mm, and even more specifically 0.10 mm to 1.5 mm. If the thickness of the support layer 110 is less than the above-described numerical range, the effect of enhancing the blocking of heat or flame spread may be insignificant, and as a result, the effect of blocking the heat or flame spread of the pad 100 may be insignificant. On the other hand, if the thickness of the support layer 110 exceeds the above-described numerical range, it is difficult to expect a significant improvement in the above-described spread-blocking effect compared to increasing the thickness or weight of the above-described support layer 110, and therefore, the energy efficiency per volume and per weight of the battery module and the battery pack including the support layer 110 may be deteriorated.

[0087] In one embodiment, the support layer 110 may include a substrate and inorganic particles. In a specific embodiment, the inorganic particles may be coated onto a substrate.

[0088] In one embodiment, the above-mentioned substrate may be, but is not necessarily limited to, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), acrylic, or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and the like, as long as the substrate corresponds to a material that can be used as a substrate for the coating.

[0089] In one embodiment, the substrate is provided in a plate shape, and the thickness of the substrate may be 0.01 mm to 1.0 mm, particularly 0.015 mm to 0.8 mm, and even more specifically 0.02 mm to 0.7 mm. If the thickness of the above-described substrate is less than the above-described numerical range, the formation of the above-mentioned support layer 110 may be poor, and therefore the pad 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be structurally unstable. On the other hand, if the substrate exceeds the above-described numerical range, the thickness of the pad 100 may be greater than necessary, resulting in a deterioration in the energy efficiency per volume and per weight of the battery module.

[0090] In one embodiment, the inorganic particles may contain at least one selected from the group consisting of graphite, mica, aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, wollastonite, and aerogel. In a specific embodiment, the inorganic particles may contain at least one of graphite and mica. In a more specific embodiment, the inorganic particles may contain at least one of graphite and mica in the form of particles, and the inorganic particles may be configured in the form of a block in which the particles are aggregated.

[0091] In an exemplary embodiment, the inorganic particles may be crystalline or amorphous.

[0092] In one embodiment, the support layer 110 may contain a support binder and inorganic particles. In a specific embodiment, the inorganic particles may be bound by the support binder.

[0093] In one embodiment, the support binder may include, but is not necessarily limited to, an epoxy-based binder, an acrylic binder, a polyurethane-based binder, and a polyester-based binder. The support binder is not limited as long as the support binder contains a material that can be generally used as a binder.

[0094] In one embodiment, the inorganic particles may contain at least one selected from the group consisting of graphite, mica, aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, wollastonite, and aerogel. In a specific embodiment, the inorganic particles may contain at least one of graphite and mica. In a more specific embodiment, the inorganic particles may contain at least one of graphite and mica in particle form.

[0095] In an exemplary embodiment, the inorganic particles may be crystalline or amorphous.

[0096] In one embodiment, the support layer 110 may comprise an inorganic plate. In a specific embodiment, the inorganic plate may be a mica layer.

[0097] In one embodiment, the support layer 110 may comprise an inorganic tape. In a specific embodiment, the inorganic tape may be a mica tape.

[0098] In one embodiment, the support layer 110 may comprise an aerogel blanket.

[0099] Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a pad according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0100] Fig. 11 is a structural view showing a pad according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0101] Fig.12 is an exploded perspective view of a pad according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0102] Referring to Fig. 10 to 12, in one embodiment, the reinforcement layer (110, 140) further comprises the support layer 110, and the support layer 110 may be stacked on at least one of the first barrier layer 131 and the second barrier layer 132 in the stacking direction.

[0103] In one embodiment, the support layer 110 may comprise a first support layer 111 and a second support layer 112.

[0104] In one embodiment, the support layer 110 may be stacked on the first barrier layer 131 and the second barrier layer 132 in the stacking direction. The first support layer 111 may be stacked on the first barrier layer 131, and the second support layer 112 may be stacked on the second barrier layer 132. The first support layer 111 and the second support layer 112 may be arranged at the opposite outermost ends of the pad 100.

[0105] In one embodiment, when the support layer 110 comprises the first support layer 111 and the second support layer 112, the thickness of the support layer 110 may be the sum of the thicknesses of the first and second support layers 111 and 112, as described above.

[0106] In one embodiment, the thicknesses of the first support layer 111 and the second support layer 112 may be the same. However, the present disclosure is not necessarily limited thereto, and the thicknesses of the first support layer 111 and the second support layer 112 may differ from each other within the numerical range described above.

[0107] When the support layer 110 comprises the first support layer 111 and the second support layer 112, in one embodiment, each of the first and second support layers 111 and 112 may independently comprise a substrate and inorganic particles, a support binder and inorganic particles, an inorganic plate, an inorganic tape, or an aerogel blanket.

[0108] In addition, the descriptions of the first barrier layer 131, the reinforcement layer (110, 140) and the second barrier layer 132 described with reference to Fig.1 to 9 may be applied here, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0109] Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a pad according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0110] Fig. 14 is a structural view showing a pad according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0111] Fig. 15 is an exploded perspective view of a pad according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0112] Referring to Fig. 13 to 15, in one embodiment, the reinforcement layer (110, 140) further includes the support layer 110, and the support layer 110 may be disposed between the surface pressure layer 120 and the expansion layer 140.

[0113] In one embodiment, when the expansion layer 140 is disposed between the surface printing layer 120 and the first barrier layer 131, the support layer 110 may be disposed between the surface printing layer 120 and the expansion layer 140. When the expansion layer 140 is disposed between the surface printing layer 120 and the second barrier layer 132, the support layer 110 may be disposed between the surface printing layer 120 and the expansion layer 140.

[0114] In one embodiment, the support layer 110 may include the first support layer 111 and the second support layer 112.

[0115] In one embodiment, the expansion layer 140, as described above, may comprise the first expansion layer 141 and the second expansion layer 142. The support layer 110 may be disposed between the surface printing layer 120 and the first expansion layer 141, and between the surface printing layer 120 and the second expansion layer 142 in the stacking direction. The first support layer 111 may be disposed between the surface printing layer 120 and the first expansion layer 141, and the second support layer 112 may be disposed between the surface printing layer 120 and the second expansion layer 142.

[0116] In addition, the descriptions of the expansion layer 140, the reinforcement layer (110, 140), the surface pressure layer 120, the first support layer 111 and the second support layer 112 as described with reference to Fig.1 to 12 may be applied here, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0117] Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a pad according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0118] Fig. 17 is a structural view showing a pad according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0119] Fig. 18 is an exploded perspective view of a pad according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0120] With reference to the Fig. 16 to 18, in one embodiment, the reinforcement layer (110, 140) further comprises the support layer 110, and the support layer 110 may be arranged in the stacking direction at least between one of the expansion layer 140 and the first barrier layer 131 and the expansion layer 140 and the second barrier layer 132.

[0121] In one embodiment, the support layer 110 may be disposed between the expansion layer 140 and the first barrier layer 131 when the expansion layer 140 is disposed between the surface pressure layer 120 and the first barrier layer 131, and when the expansion layer 140 is disposed between the surface pressure layer 120 and the second barrier layer 132, the support layer 110 may be disposed between the expansion layer 140 and the second barrier layer 132.

[0122] In one embodiment, the support layer 110 may include the first support layer 111 and the second support layer 112.

[0123] In one embodiment, as described above, the expansion layer 140 may comprise the first expansion layer 141 and the second expansion layer 142. The support layer 110 may be arranged between the first expansion layer 141 and the first barrier layer 131, and between the second expansion layer 142 and the second barrier layer 132 in the stacking direction. The first support layer 111 may be arranged between the first expansion layer 141 and the first barrier layer 131, and the second support layer 112 may be arranged between the second expansion layer 142 and the second barrier layer 132.

[0124] In addition, the descriptions of the expansion layer 140, the reinforcement layer (110, 140), the surface pressure layer 120, the first support layer 111 and the second support layer 112 as described with reference to Fig. 1 to 12 may be applied here, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0125] As described in accordance with the above, the thermal runaway prevention pad 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can effectively suppress the spread of heat or flames when thermal runaway occurs in a battery even if the pad has a relatively small thickness, and at the same time can effectively relieve the surface pressure due to a swelling phenomenon that may occur due to continuous use of the battery.

[0126] Fig. 1 to 18 are shown for the purpose of describing the pad 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Since the shape, thickness, size, color, shading, and the like of the pad 100 and each layer are optional, various configurations can be made as needed without deviating from the scope defined in the present disclosure. Battery module and battery pack

[0127] Fig. 19 is an exploded perspective view of a battery module 300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0128] The battery module 300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: the plurality of battery cells 200 stacked in the predetermined stacking direction; a module case 310 that accommodates the plurality of battery cells 200; and the pad 100 disposed between at least a pair of battery cells 200 adjacent to each other among the plurality of battery cells 200. The pad 100 may include: the plate-shaped surface printing layer 120; the first barrier layer 131 and the second barrier layer 132, each stacked on both surfaces of the surface printing layer 120 in the predetermined stacking direction; and the reinforcing layer (110, 140) disposed in the stacking direction of the pad 100.

[0129] In one embodiment, the stacking direction of the plurality of battery cells 200 and the stacking direction for each layer in the pad 100 may be the same. However, the present disclosure is not necessarily limited thereto, and each stacking direction may be different as needed.

[0130] In one embodiment, battery cell 200 may include a cathode, an anode, a separator, and an electrolyte as main components. In one embodiment, battery cell 200 may include an electrode assembly with a cathode, an anode, and a separator.

[0131] According to an exemplary embodiment, the cathode may include a cathode current collector and an active cathode material applied to at least one surface of the cathode current collector. The cathode current collector may include a known conductive material to the extent that the cathode current collector cannot cause a chemical reaction in the lithium secondary battery. The cathode current collector may include, for example, one made of stainless steel, nickel (Ni), aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), copper (Cu), and their alloys, and may be in various forms, such as a film, plate, or foil. The active cathode material may include a material into and from which lithium ions can be inserted and extracted. The active cathode material may be, for example, a lithium metal oxide.

[0132] According to an exemplary embodiment, the anode may include an anode current collector and an active anode material applied to at least one surface of the anode current collector. The anode current collector may include a known conductive material to the extent that the anode current collector cannot cause a chemical reaction in the lithium secondary battery. The anode current collector may include, for example, one made of stainless steel, nickel (Ni), aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), copper (Cu), and their alloys, and may be in various forms, such as a film, plate, or foil. The active anode material may include a material into and from which lithium ions can be inserted and extracted.The active anode material may, for example, include a carbon-based material such as crystalline carbon, amorphous carbon, a carbon composite or carbon fiber, a lithium alloy, silicon (Si) and tin (Sn), or a combination thereof.

[0133] In an exemplary embodiment, both the cathode and the anode may additionally contain a binder and a conductive material to improve mechanical stability and electrical conductivity.

[0134] According to an exemplary embodiment, each battery cell 200 may further include a separator to prevent an electrical short circuit between the cathode and the anode and to generate an ion current. The separator may, for example, include a porous polymer film or a porous nonwoven fabric.

[0135] Therefore, the electrode assembly according to this embodiment may have a structure in which an anode, a separator, and a cathode are stacked in a predetermined stacking direction. The anode, separator, and cathode may be stacked in a stack, stack-fold, or Z-stack manner.

[0136] According to an exemplary embodiment, each of the battery cells 200 may contain an electrolyte for immersing the electrode assembly. The electrolyte may be a non-aqueous electrolyte. The electrolyte solution may contain a lithium salt and an organic solvent, and may optionally contain an additive.

[0137] According to another exemplary embodiment, each battery cell 200 may further include a solid electrolyte layer containing a solid electrolyte. Therefore, the electrode assembly according to this embodiment may have a structure in which an anode, a solid electrolyte layer, and a cathode are stacked in the predetermined stacking direction.

[0138] The battery cell 200 may include the main components described above and a cell housing for enclosing them. The battery cell 200 may also include an electrode lead 210. The electrode lead 210 may be connected to both the cathode and the anode. The electrode lead 210 may protrude toward the outside of the cell housing to electrically connect the battery cell to the outside.

[0139] Referring to Fig.19, the module housing 310 may include a module body 319 forming part of a receiving space 380 that receives the plurality of battery cells 200, and a module cover 315 connected to the module body 319 to collectively form the receiving space 380.

[0140] In one embodiment, the plurality of battery cells 200 may be arranged in the module body 319 in a predetermined stacking direction (e.g., the X-direction in Fig. 19).

[0141] In one embodiment, the module housing 310 includes an open top 3195 and may further include the module body 319 that receives the plurality of battery cells 200 through the open top 3195, and the module cover 315 connected to the module body 319 to close the open top 3195.

[0142] Accordingly, the module cover 315 can be connected to the module body 319 to form an upper surface of the receiving space 380 or an upper surface of the module housing 310. That is, the module cover 315 can be coupled to the module body 319 to close the open upper surface 3195 and form the receiving space 380 together with the module body 319.

[0143] In one embodiment, the receiving space 380 may comprise a space formed in the module body 319 to receive the stack of the plurality of battery cells 200.

[0144] In one embodiment, the module body 319 may have a channel shape or a U-shape with an open top. As shown in Fig. 19, the two side surfaces 3197 and 3198, which are opposite each other in the X direction, can also be open.

[0145] In one embodiment, the module body 319 may include a body bottom surface 3194 forming a bottom surface of the receiving space 380, and body side surfaces 3191 and 3192 extending toward the module cover 315 at edges (not shown) of the body bottom surface 3194 that are adjacent to each other in the stacking direction. The free ends of the body side surfaces 3191 and 3192 may be bent to form flanges (not shown) that may enable easy coupling to the module cover 315.

[0146] In one embodiment, the height of the module body 319 may be less than the height of the plurality of battery cells 200. However, the present disclosure is not necessarily limited thereto, and if necessary, the height of the module body 319 may be greater than or equal to the height of the plurality of battery cells 200.

[0147] Fig.20 is a top view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0148] With reference to Fig. 19 and Fig. 20, in one embodiment, the pad 100 may be disposed between at least one pair of battery cells 200 that are adjacent to each other among the plurality of battery cells 200.

[0149] As described above, the plurality of battery cells 200 may be stacked in the predetermined stacking direction. In one embodiment, the pad 100 may also be arranged between at least one pair of battery cells 200 that are adjacent to each other in the stacking direction among the plurality of battery cells 200. Fig. 19 and Fig.For example, FIG. 20 shows an example in which the long edges of the plurality of battery cells 200 are arranged side by side in the Y direction. The plurality of battery cells 200 and the pad 100 may be stacked in the X direction.

[0150] In a particular embodiment, the pad 100 may be arranged to lie between at least one pair of battery cells 200 of the plurality of battery cells 200 that are adjacent to one another.

[0151] In one embodiment, each of the pads 100 may be disposed only against the cell casing of the battery cell 200. That is, each of the pads 100 may not be in contact with the electrode lead 210 of the battery cell 200. In Fig. 19 and Fig.In Figure 20, only the electrode lead 210 is shown as projecting outward. This may mean that each of the pads 100 is arranged to abut only the cell casing of the battery cell 200. However, the present disclosure is not necessarily limited thereto, and various arrangements may be shown as desired.

[0152] In one embodiment, the plurality of battery cells 200 may be stacked such that at least one battery cell 200 is arranged such that the pad 100 can be disposed on one surface thereof, and the pad 100 cannot be disposed on any surface opposite that one surface. That is, the plurality of battery cells 200 may be stacked to include one or more configurations in which battery cell 200-battery cell 200-pad 100 are stacked in that order.

[0153] Referring to Fig.20, in one embodiment, the plurality of battery cells 200 may be stacked such that the pad 100 may be disposed on one surface of each of the battery cells 200 except for one of the battery cells 200 that is located at the outermost edge in the stacking direction, and the pad 100 may not be disposed on any surface opposite that one surface. That is, the plurality of battery cells 200 may be stacked such that one pad 100 may be disposed for every two battery cells 200 in the stacking direction.

[0154] However, the present disclosure is not necessarily limited thereto, and if necessary, the pad 100 may be disposed between the battery cells 200, or may be disposed between battery groups in which the plurality of battery cells 200 are grouped in any number.

[0155] In one embodiment, the pad 100 may include the plate-shaped printing layer 120, the first barrier layer 131 and the second barrier layer 132, each stacked on both surfaces of the surface printing layer 120 in the stacking direction, and the reinforcing layer (110, 140) arranged in the stacking directions.

[0156] In one embodiment, the stacking direction may mean the same direction as the stacking direction of the plurality of battery cells 200 described above.

[0157] In one embodiment, the thickness of the pad 100 may be between 0.55 mm and 5.5 mm. In particular, the thickness of the pad 100 may be between 0.6 mm and 5.0 mm, more specifically between 0.75 mm and 4.5 mm.

[0158] In one embodiment, the first barrier layer 131 and the second barrier layer 132 may each independently contain at least one selected from fibers and an inorganic material.

[0159] In one embodiment, each of the thicknesses of the first barrier layer 131 and the second barrier layer 132 can independently be 0.05 mm to 1.0 mm. Specifically, 0.07 mm to 0.9 mm, and even more specifically, 0.1 mm to 0.85 mm.

[0160] In one embodiment, the surface printing layer 120 may include at least one selected from the group consisting of silicone, polyurethane (PU), acrylic, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), isoprene rubber, butadiene rubber, chloroprene rubber, and butyl rubber.

[0161] In one embodiment, the thickness of the surface printing layer 120 may be between 0.2 mm and 4.0 mm. In particular, the thickness of the surface printing layer 120 may be between 0.5 mm and 3.0 mm, and most preferably between 0.7 mm and 2.5 mm.

[0162] In one embodiment, the thickness of the surface printing layer 120 may be between 20% and 82% of the total thickness of the pad 100. More specifically, the thickness of the surface printing layer 120 may be between 27% and 81% of the total thickness of the pad 100, and most preferably between 32% and 80%.

[0163] In one embodiment, the reinforcement layer (110, 140) comprises the expansion layer 140, and the expansion layer 140 may be arranged in the stacking direction at least between one of the surface printing layer 120 and the first barrier layer 131 and the surface printing layer 120 and the second barrier layer 132.

[0164] In one embodiment, the expansion layer 140 may contain at least one selected from the group consisting of expanded graphite, silicate, and phosphorus-based flame retardants.

[0165] In one embodiment, the thickness of the expansion layer 140 may be between 0.015 mm and 1.0 mm. In particular, the thickness of the expansion layer 140 may be between 0.02 mm and 0.8 mm, and most preferably between 0.03 mm and 0.8 mm.

[0166] In one embodiment, the reinforcement layer (110, 140) comprises the expansion layer 140, the surface printing layer 120 comprises the first surface printing layer 121 and the second surface printing layer 122 stacked in the stacking direction, and the expansion layer 140 may be arranged between the first surface printing layer 121 and the second surface printing layer 122.

[0167] In one embodiment, the reinforcing layer (110, 140) may further comprise the support layer 110, the surface printing layer 120 may comprise the first surface printing layer 121 and the second surface printing layer 122 stacked in the stacking direction, and the support layer 110 may be disposed between the first and second surface printing layers 121 and 122.

[0168] In one embodiment, the support layer 110 may contain at least one selected from the group consisting of graphite, mica, aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, wollastonite, and aerogel.

[0169] In one embodiment, the thickness of the support layer 110 may be between 0.01 mm and 2.5 mm. In particular, the thickness of the support layer 110 may be between 0.03 mm and 2.0 mm, and most particularly between 0.10 mm and 1.5 mm.

[0170] In one embodiment, the reinforcement layer (110, 140) further comprises the support layer 110, and the support layer 110 may be stacked in the stacking direction on at least one of the first barrier layer 131 and the second barrier layer 132.

[0171] In one embodiment, the reinforcement layer (110, 140) further comprises the support layer 110, wherein the support layer 110 may be arranged between the surface pressure layer 120 and the expansion layer 140.

[0172] In one embodiment, the reinforcement layer (110, 140) further comprises the support layer 110, and the support layer 110 may be arranged in the stacking direction at least between one of the expansion layer 140 and the first barrier layer 131 and the expansion layer 140 and the second barrier layer 132.

[0173] With reference to Fig. 19 and Fig.20, in one embodiment, the thickness of the pad 100 and each layer may mean the average distance in the X direction of the pad 100 or each layer.

[0174] In addition, the description of the pad 100 as described above with reference to Fig. 1 to 18 may be applied here, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0175] In one embodiment, the battery module 300 may contain, in addition to the battery cell 200, the module housing 310 and the pad 100, further components for operating the battery module 300.

[0176] Referring to Fig.19, in one embodiment, the battery module 300 may further include end plates 312 and 313 at both ends of the stack of the plurality of battery cells 200 in the stacking direction. In a particular embodiment, the end plates 312 and 313 may be provided at both ends of the stack or connected to the side surfaces 3197 and 3198 of the module body 319. In one embodiment, the end plates 312 and 313 may be configured to prevent both sides of the stack of the plurality of battery cells 200 from being exposed to the outside.

[0177] In one embodiment, the battery module 300 may include a bus bar 270 electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells 200.

[0178] In one embodiment, the battery module 300 may further include bus bar frames 251, 252, and 255 that support the bus bar 270 and the plurality of battery cells 200.

[0179] In one embodiment, a configuration including bus bar 270 and bus bar frames 251, 252, and 255 may be referred to as bus bar assembly 250. Bus bar assembly 250 may include bus bar 270 electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells 200.

[0180] In one embodiment, the bus bar frames 251, 252, and 255 may be electrically connected to the outside to store (or charge) electrical energy in the plurality of battery cells 200 or to conduct (or discharge) electrical energy stored in the plurality of battery cells 200 to the outside.

[0181] In one embodiment, the bus bar assembly 250 may include a first bus bar frame 251 and a second bus bar frame 252 extending in a stacking direction of the plurality of battery cells 200 with the plurality of battery cells 200 disposed therebetween.

[0182] In one embodiment, the bus bar assembly 250 may further include a support frame 255 located on one side of the bus bar assembly 150 and connecting the first bus bar frame 251 and the second bus bar frame 252.

[0183] In one embodiment, the support frame 255 may prevent the deformation of the first busbar frame 251 and the second busbar frame 252 and support them.

[0184] In one embodiment, a portion of an electrical device for sensing and controlling the plurality of battery cells 200 may be disposed on the support frame 255.

[0185] In Fig. 19, the busbar assembly 250 is shown in a case where the electrode lines 210 of the battery cells 200 are formed in opposite directions. However, this is not necessarily limiting, and the electrode lines 210 of the battery cells 200 may be formed in the same direction as needed. In such a case, the busbar frames 251, 252, 255 may be arranged on one side of the battery cell 200, e.g., on the top side of the battery cell 200, and electrically connected accordingly.

[0186] As in Fig. 19, the busbar assembly 250 may have a tunnel shape in one embodiment.

[0187] In one embodiment, the lengths of the first busbar frame 251 and the second busbar frame 252 in the stacking direction may be greater than the length of the support frame 255.

[0188] In one embodiment, the support frame 255 may be connected to the first bus bar frame 251 and the second bus bar frame 252 to cover an upper portion of at least some of the plurality of battery cells 200. Alternatively, the support frame 255 may be configured to cover an upper portion of all of the battery cells 200.

[0189] In one embodiment, the bus bar 270 may include a first bus bar 271 supported by the first bus bar frame 251 and electrically connected to one of the electrode lines of the battery cell 200, and a second bus bar 272 supported by the second bus bar frame 252 and electrically connected to another electrode line of the battery cell 200.

[0190] In one embodiment, the first bus bar 271 and the second bus bar 272 may be farther away from the plurality of battery cells 200 than the first bus bar frame 251 and the second bus bar frame 252, respectively. That is, the first bus bar 271 and the second bus bar 272 may be arranged closer to the body side surfaces 3191 and 3192 than the first bus bar frame 251 and the second bus bar frame 252, respectively. The electrode lead of each battery cell 200 may be inserted into a slotted hole (not shown) formed in the first bus bar frame 251 and the second bus bar frame 252 to be electrically connected to the first bus bar 271 and the second bus bar 272.However, the present disclosure is not necessarily limited thereto, and if necessary, each of the electrode lines may be electrically connected to the first bus bar 271 and the second bus bar 272 in a manner other than described above.

[0191] In one embodiment, the battery module 300 may further include a heat dissipation portion 395 located between the body bottom surface 3194 and the plurality of battery cells 200 to transfer heat generated in the plurality of battery cells 200 to the outside of the battery module 300.

[0192] In one embodiment, the heat dissipation portion 395 may include an adhesive material with thermal conductivity.

[0193] In one embodiment, the heat dissipation portion 395 may adhere the plurality of battery cells 200 to the body bottom surface 3194. For this purpose, the heat dissipation portion 395 may be sprayed or applied to the body bottom surface 3194.

[0194] Although Fig. 19 and Fig. 20 shows the battery module 300 in which the battery cell 200 is a bag-type battery cell for the sake of simplicity of description. However, the present disclosure is not necessarily limited thereto, and the battery module 300 is also applicable to a prismatic battery cell, a cylindrical battery cell, or the like. Furthermore, the battery module 300 is also applicable to a structure other than that shown in Fig. 19 and Fig. 20 are applicable without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0195] Fig.21 is a view showing an example of a battery pack 400 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0196] Referring to Fig.21, the battery pack 400 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a plurality of battery cell stacks 290; a case 410 for accommodating the plurality of battery cell stacks 290, in each of which the plurality of battery cells 200 are stacked in a predetermined stacking direction; and the pad 100 disposed between at least a pair of battery cells 200 adjacent to each other among the plurality of battery cells 200. The pad 100 may include: the plate-shaped surface printing layer 120; the first barrier layer 131 and the second barrier layer 132, each stacked on both surfaces of the surface printing layer 120 in the predetermined stacking direction; and the reinforcing layer (110, 140) disposed in the stacking direction.

[0197] The battery pack 400 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may have the form of a cell-to-pack P (CT) structure in which the battery cell stack 290 with the plurality of stacked battery cells 200 is housed in the form of a package without the structure of the battery module 300.

[0198] In one embodiment, the battery cell stack 290 may include a plurality of battery cells 200 stacked in the predetermined stacking direction, and the pad 100 is disposed between at least one pair of battery cells 200 that are adjacent to each other among the plurality of battery cells 200.

[0199] In one embodiment, the housing 410 may include a receiving body 411 that receives the plurality of battery cell stacks 290, and a receiving lid (not shown) connected to the receiving body 411.

[0200] In one embodiment, the housing 410 may further include a partition wall 430 that defines a space within the housing 410 in which each of the battery cell stacks 290 is received.

[0201] In one embodiment, the partition wall 430 may include a first frame 433 that horizontally divides a space in which each of the battery cell stacks 290 is housed in the housing 410, and a second frame 435 that vertically divides the space in which each battery cell stack 290 is housed. With the above configuration of the partition wall 430, the plurality of battery cell stacks 290 arranged in the housing 410 can be housed in the housing 410 according to a predetermined housing method.

[0202] Alternatively, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the battery pack 400 may include a plurality of battery modules 300. Each of the plurality of battery modules 300 may be the same as the battery module 300 described above.

[0203] In one embodiment, the pad 100 may include the plate-shaped surface printing layer 120, the first barrier layer 131 and the second barrier layer 132, each stacked on both surfaces of the surface printing layer 120 in the stacking direction, and the reinforcing layer (110, 140) arranged in the stacking directions.

[0204] In one embodiment, the stacking direction may mean the same direction as the stacking direction of the plurality of battery cells 200 described above.

[0205] In one embodiment, the thickness of the pad 100 may be between 0.55 mm and 5.5 mm. In particular, the thickness of the pad 100 may be between 0.6 mm and 5.0 mm, more specifically between 0.75 mm and 4.5 mm.

[0206] In one embodiment, the first barrier layer 131 and the second barrier layer 132 may each independently contain at least one selected from fibers and an inorganic material.

[0207] In one embodiment, the thicknesses of the first barrier layer 131 and the second barrier layer 132 can each independently be 0.05 mm to 1.0 mm. Specifically, 0.07 mm to 0.9 mm, and even more specifically, 0.1 mm to 0.85 mm.

[0208] In one embodiment, the surface printing layer 120 may include at least one selected from the group consisting of silicone, polyurethane (PU), acrylic, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), isoprene rubber, butadiene rubber, chloroprene rubber, and butyl rubber.

[0209] In one embodiment, the thickness of the surface printing layer 120 may be between 0.2 mm and 4.0 mm. In particular, the thickness of the surface printing layer 120 may be between 0.5 mm and 3.0 mm, and most preferably between 0.7 mm and 2.5 mm.

[0210] In one embodiment, the thickness of the surface printing layer 120 may be between 20% and 82% of the total thickness of the pad 100. More specifically, the thickness of the surface printing layer 120 may be between 27% and 81% of the total thickness of the pad 100, and most preferably between 32% and 80%.

[0211] In one embodiment, the reinforcement layer (110, 140) comprises the expansion layer 140, and the expansion layer 140 may be arranged in the stacking direction at least between one of the surface printing layer 120 and the first barrier layer 131 and the surface printing layer 120 and the second barrier layer 132.

[0212] In one embodiment, the expansion layer 140 may contain at least one selected from the group consisting of expanded graphite, silicate, and phosphorus-based flame retardants.

[0213] In one embodiment, the thickness of the expansion layer 140 may be between 0.015 mm and 1.0 mm. In particular, the thickness of the expansion layer 140 may be between 0.02 mm and 0.8 mm, and most preferably between 0.03 mm and 0.8 mm.

[0214] In one embodiment, the reinforcement layer (110, 140) comprises the expansion layer 140, the surface printing layer 120 comprises the first surface printing layer 121 and the second surface printing layer 122 stacked in the stacking direction, and the expansion layer 140 may be arranged between the first surface printing layer 121 and the second surface printing layer 122.

[0215] In one embodiment, the reinforcing layer (110, 140) may further comprise the support layer 110, the surface printing layer 120 may comprise the first surface printing layer 121 and the second surface printing layer 122 stacked in the stacking direction, and the support layer 110 may be disposed between the first and second surface printing layers 121 and 122.

[0216] In one embodiment, the support layer 110 may contain at least one selected from the group consisting of graphite, mica, aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, wollastonite, and aerogel.

[0217] In one embodiment, the thickness of the support layer 110 may be between 0.01 mm and 2.5 mm. In particular, the thickness of the support layer 110 may be between 0.03 mm and 2.0 mm, and most particularly between 0.10 mm and 1.5 mm.

[0218] In one embodiment, the reinforcement layer (110, 140) further comprises the support layer 110, and the support layer 110 can be stacked in the stacking direction on at least one of the first barrier layer 131 and the second barrier layer 132.

[0219] In one embodiment, the reinforcement layer (110, 140) further comprises the support layer 110, and the support layer 110 may be disposed between the surface pressure layer 120 and the expansion layer 140.

[0220] In one embodiment, the reinforcement layer (110, 140) further comprises the support layer 110, and the support layer 110 may be arranged in the stacking direction at least between one of the expansion layer 140 and the first barrier layer 131 and the expansion layer 140 and the second barrier layer 132.

[0221] In addition, the above description of the pad 100 may be made with reference to Fig. 1 to 18 may be applied here, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0222] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the plurality of embodiments described above are specific examples of the following aspects.

[0223] Aspect 1: A pad comprising: a surface printing layer having a plate shape; a first barrier layer and a second barrier layer each stacked on both surfaces of the surface printing layer in a predetermined stacking direction; and a reinforcing layer arranged in the predetermined stacking direction.

[0224] Aspect 2: The pad according to aspect 1, wherein the thickness of the pad is between 0.55 mm and 5.5 mm.

[0225] Aspect 3: The pad according to any one of the preceding aspects, wherein the first barrier layer and the second barrier layer each independently comprise at least one of the materials selected from fibers and an inorganic material.

[0226] Aspect 4: The pad according to any one of the preceding aspects, wherein the thickness of the first barrier layer and the second barrier layer is each independently between 0.05 mm and 1.0 mm.

[0227] Aspect 5: The pad according to any one of the preceding aspects, wherein the surface printing layer comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of silicone, polyurethane (PU), acrylic, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), isoprene rubber, butadiene rubber, chloroprene rubber, and butyl rubber.

[0228] Aspect 6: The pad according to any one of the preceding aspects, wherein the thickness of the surface printing layer is between 0.2 mm and 4.0 mm.

[0229] Aspect 7: The pad according to any one of the preceding aspects, wherein the thickness of the surface printing layer is between 20% and 82% of the total thickness of the pad.

[0230] Aspect 8: The pad according to any one of the preceding aspects, wherein the reinforcement layer comprises an expansion layer, and wherein the expansion layer is arranged in the predetermined stacking direction at least between one of the surface printing layer and the first barrier layer and the surface printing layer and the second barrier layer.

[0231] Aspect 9: The pad according to any one of the preceding aspects, wherein the expansion layer comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of expanded graphite, silicate, and phosphorus-based flame retardants.

[0232] Aspect 10: The pad according to any one of the preceding aspects, wherein the thickness of the expansion layer is between 0.015 mm and 1.0 mm.

[0233] Aspect 11: The pad according to any one of the preceding aspects, wherein the reinforcing layer comprises an expansion layer, wherein the surface printing layer comprises a first surface printing layer and a second surface printing layer stacked in the predetermined stacking direction, and wherein the expansion layer is arranged between the first surface printing layer and the second surface printing layer.

[0234] Aspect 12: The pad according to any one of the preceding aspects, wherein the reinforcing layer further comprises a support layer, wherein the surface printing layer comprises a first surface printing layer and a second surface printing layer stacked in the predetermined stacking direction, and wherein the support layer is arranged between the first surface printing layer and the second surface printing layer.

[0235] Aspect 13: The pad according to any one of the preceding aspects, wherein the support layer comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of graphite, mica, aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, wollastonite, and aerogel.

[0236] Aspect 14: The pad according to any one of the preceding aspects, wherein the thickness of the support layer is between 0.01 mm and 2.5 mm.

[0237] Aspect 15: The pad according to any one of the preceding aspects, wherein the reinforcement layer further comprises a support layer, and wherein the support layer is stacked on at least one of the first barrier layer and the second barrier layer in the predetermined stacking direction.

[0238] Aspect 16: The pad according to any one of the preceding aspects, wherein the reinforcement layer further comprises a support layer, and wherein the support layer is disposed between the surface pressure layer and the expansion layer.

[0239] Aspect 17: The pad according to any one of the preceding aspects, wherein the reinforcement layer further comprises a support layer, and wherein the support layer is arranged in the predetermined stacking direction at least between one of the expansion layer and the first barrier layer and the expansion layer and the second barrier layer.

[0240] Aspect 18: A battery module comprising: a plurality of battery cells stacked in a predetermined stacking direction; a module case accommodating the plurality of battery cells; and the pad according to any one of the preceding aspects disposed between at least a pair of battery cells adjacent to each other among the plurality of battery cells.

[0241] Aspect 19: The battery module of aspect 18, wherein the plurality of battery cells are stacked to include at least one battery cell having one surface on which the pad is disposed and another surface opposite the one surface on which the pad is not disposed.

[0242] Aspect 20: A battery pack comprising: a battery cell stack; and a case accommodating the battery cell stack including a plurality of battery cell stacks, the battery cell stack comprising: a plurality of battery cells stacked in a predetermined stacking direction; and the pad according to any one of the preceding aspects disposed between at least a pair of battery cells adjacent to each other among the plurality of battery cells.

[0243] The pad 100, the battery module 300, and the battery pack 400 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can preferably be used as a power source for a small or medium-sized device. Examples of the small device include a mobile phone, a notebook, a camera, and the like, and examples of the medium-sized device include an electric vehicle, a hybrid electric vehicle, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, an electrical energy storage system, and the like, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0244] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in more detail with reference to specific experimental examples. Inventive examples and comparative examples included in the experimental examples are merely illustrative of the present disclosure and do not limit the scope of the appended claims. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications to the examples are possible within the scope and technical idea of ​​the present disclosure, and it is understood that such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the appended claims. Examples (Inventive Example 1)

[0245] A pad was prepared in which a first barrier layer, a first expansion layer, a surface pressure layer, a second expansion layer, and a second barrier layer were sequentially stacked. The first barrier layer and the second barrier layer were each made using (woven) ceramic fibers with a thickness of 0.3 mm, and expanded graphite was stacked on each of the first and second barrier layers to form a layer with a thickness of 0.1 mm. The first barrier layer and the second barrier layer, on which the expanded graphite layers were stacked, were positioned so that the expanded graphite layers faced each other, and silicone foam was foamed to a thickness of 2.2 mm and then bonded to produce the above-mentioned pad. (Inventive Example 2)

[0246] A pad was prepared in which a first barrier layer, a first expansion layer, a first surface pressure layer, a support layer, a second surface pressure layer, a second expansion layer, and a second barrier layer were sequentially stacked. The first barrier layer and the second barrier layer were each made of (woven) ceramic fibers with a thickness of 0.3 mm, and a mixture of expanded graphite and a phosphorus-based flame retardant was stacked on the first barrier layer and the second barrier layer, respectively, to form a layer with a thickness of 0.1 mm (an expansion layer). Silicone foam with a thickness of 0.85 mm was foamed onto the first barrier layer and the second barrier layer, on which the expansion layers were formed.

[0247] A 0.1 mm thick PET film was produced and a 0.4 mm thick support layer made of a mixture of graphite and mica powder was applied to one side of the film.

[0248] The first barrier layer and the second barrier layer, in which the expansion layer and the silicone foam layer were stacked one after another, were positioned so that the silicone foam layers faced each other, and the support layer was inserted and bonded between them to manufacture the pad. (Inventive Example 3)

[0249] The pad was prepared in the same manner as in Inventive Example 2, except that expanded graphite was stacked on each of the first and second barrier layers to form a layer having a thickness of 0.1 mm, and a mica plate having a thickness of 0.5 mm was used as a support layer. (Inventive Example 4)

[0250] A pad was fabricated in which a first support layer, a first barrier layer, a first expansion layer, a surface pressure layer, a second expansion layer, a second barrier layer, and a second support layer were sequentially stacked. The first support layer and the second support layer were each made of a 0.5 mm thick mica plate, and 0.3 mm thick ceramic fibers (NCF) were attached to the first support layer and the second support layer, respectively. A mixture of potassium silicate and a phosphorus-based flame retardant was formed on each of the attached ceramic fibers to form a 0.1 mm thick layer (an expansion layer).The first support layer and the second support layer, in which the ceramic fibers and the expansion layer were stacked one after the other, were positioned so that the expansion layers faced each other, and silicone foam was foamed to a thickness of 1.2 mm and then bonded to prepare the pad. (Inventive Example 5)

[0251] A pad was prepared in which a first barrier layer, a first expansion layer, a first support layer, a surface pressure layer, a second support layer, a second expansion layer, and a second barrier layer were sequentially stacked. The first barrier layer and the second barrier layer were each made of 0.3 mm thick (woven) basalt fibers, and a mixture of expanded graphite and a phosphorus-based flame retardant was layered on the first barrier layer and the second barrier layer, respectively, to form a 0.1 mm thick layer (an expansion layer). A 0.5 mm thick aerogel sheet was attached to each of the first barrier layer and the second barrier layer, on which the expansion layers were formed.The first barrier layer and the second barrier layer, in which the expansion layer and the aerogel plate were stacked one after the other, were positioned so that the respective aerogel plates faced each other, and silicone foam was foamed to a thickness of 1.2 mm and then adhered to prepare the pad. (Inventive Example 6)

[0252] The pad was manufactured in the same manner as in Inventive Example 1, except that the thickness of each ceramic fiber was 0.2 mm and the thickness of each expanded graphite layer was 0.015 mm, and styrene-butadiene foam with a thickness of 0.32 mm was foamed instead of the silicone foam. (Inventive Example 7)

[0253] The pad was manufactured in the same manner as in Inventive Example 2 above, except that (woven) glass fibers each having a thickness of 0.4 mm were used instead of the ceramic fibers, sodium silicate was layered on each of the first barrier layer and the second barrier layer to form a layer having a thickness of 0.2 mm (an expansion layer), EPDM foam having a thickness of 0.9 mm was foamed instead of the silicone foam, and a mica plate having a thickness of 1.5 mm was used as a support layer. (Inventive Example 8)

[0254] The pad was manufactured in the same manner as in Inventive Example 2 above, except that (woven) aramid fibers of the same thickness were used instead of the ceramic fibers, and a mixture of potassium silicate and a phosphorus-based flame retardant was stacked on each of the first barrier layer and the second barrier layer to form a layer having a thickness of 0.1 mm (an expansion layer), silicone foam was foamed to a thickness of 1.0 mm each, and a mica tape having a thickness of 0.2 mm was used as a support layer. (Inventive Example 9)

[0255] A pad was prepared in which a first barrier layer, a first surface pressure layer, an expansion layer, a second surface pressure layer, and a second barrier layer were sequentially stacked. The first barrier layer and the second barrier layer were each made using (woven) glass fibers with a thickness of 0.07 mm, and acrylic foam was foamed with a thickness of 0.93 mm on the first barrier layer and on the second barrier layer. Sodium silicate was coated on the first barrier layer, on which the acrylic foam layer was coated, to form a layer with a thickness of 1 mm, and the sodium silicate layer and the acrylic foam layer of the second barrier layer were positioned to face each other and bonded together to manufacture the pad. (Inventive Example 10)

[0256] The pad was manufactured in the same manner as in Inventive Example 2, except that ceramic fibers in the form of short fibers with the same thickness were used instead of the woven ceramic fibers, sodium silicate was coated on the first barrier layer and the second barrier layer instead of the above mixture to form a layer with a thickness of 0.3 mm (an expansion layer), silicone foam with a thickness of 0.65 mm each was foamed, and a mica plate with a thickness of 0.5 mm was used as a support layer. (Inventive Example 11)

[0257] The pad was manufactured in the same manner as in Inventive Example 2, except that glass fibers in the form of short fibers with the same thickness were used instead of the woven ceramic fibers, polyurethane foam with a thickness of 0.85 mm was foamed instead of the silicone foam on each of the first and second barrier layers on which the expansion layers were formed, and a mica plate with a thickness of 0.5 mm was used as a support layer. (Inventive Example 12)

[0258] The pad was manufactured in the same manner as in Inventive Example 9, except that the thickness of each of the glass fibers was 0.3 mm, silicone foam was foamed to a thickness of 1.2 mm on the first barrier layer and the second barrier layer instead of the acrylic foam, and expanded graphite was stacked to a layer with a thickness of 0.015 mm on the first barrier layer, on which the silicone foam layer was stacked. (Inventive Example 13)

[0259] The pad was manufactured in the same manner as in Inventive Example 1, with the difference that (woven) glass fibers with a thickness of 1 mm each were used instead of the ceramic fibers, the thickness of the expanded graphite layer was 0.02 mm each, and silicone foam was foamed to a thickness of 0.96 mm. (Inventive Example 14)

[0260] A pad was manufactured in which a first barrier layer, a first expansion layer, a first surface pressure layer, a support layer, a second surface pressure layer, a second expansion layer, and a second barrier layer were sequentially stacked. The first barrier layer and the second barrier layer were each made of 0.3 mm thick (woven) basalt fibers. Expanded graphite was stacked on the first barrier layer to form a 0.02 mm thick layer, and sodium silicate was stacked on the second barrier layer to form a 0.3 mm thick layer. Silicone foam was foamed to a thickness of 0.88 mm on the first barrier layer, on which the expanded graphite layer was formed, and polyurethane foam was foamed to a thickness of 0.5 mm on the second barrier layer, on which the sodium silicate layer was formed.

[0261] The first barrier layer in which the expanded graphite layer and the silicon foam layer were sequentially stacked, and the second barrier layer in which the sodium silicate layer and the polyurethane foam layer were sequentially stacked were arranged so that the silicon foam layer of the first barrier layer and the polyurethane foam layer of the second barrier layer faced each other, and a 0.7 mm thick mica plate was then inserted and bonded between them to prepare the pad. (Inventive Example 15)

[0262] A pad was fabricated in which a first barrier layer, a first expansion layer, a first support layer, a surface pressure layer, a second support layer, a second expansion layer, and a second barrier layer were sequentially stacked. The first barrier layer was made of 0.3 mm thick (woven) glass fibers, and the second barrier layer was made of 0.1 mm thick (woven) ceramic fibers. Expanded graphite was stacked on each of the first and second barrier layers to form a 0.05 mm thick layer (an expansion layer).

[0263] Magnesium hydroxide powder was mixed with an epoxy binder to create the first support layer with a thickness of 0.2 mm. A 0.5 mm thick mica plate was used as the second support layer.

[0264] The first support layer was attached to the first barrier layer, on which the expanded graphite layer was formed, and the second support layer was attached to the second barrier layer, on which the expanded graphite layer was formed. The first barrier layer and the second barrier layer were positioned so that the first support layer and the second support layer faced each other, and silicone foam was foamed to a thickness of 1.8 mm and then adhered to form the pad. (Comparison example 1)

[0265] The pad was manufactured in the same manner as in Inventive Example 1, with the difference that (woven) glass fibers with a thickness of 0.07 mm each were used instead of the ceramic fibers, the thickness of the expanded graphite layer was 0.02 mm each, and silicone foam with a thickness of 0.32 mm was foamed. (Comparison example 2)

[0266] The pad was manufactured in the same manner as in Comparative Example 1, except that the thickness of each of the glass fibers was 0.3 mm, the thickness of each of the expanded graphite layers was 0.002 mm, and the silicone foam was 2.396 mm. (Comparison example 3)

[0267] A pad was prepared in which a first expansion layer, a surface pressure layer, and a second expansion layer were sequentially layered. The pad was manufactured by foaming silicon foam to a thickness of 2.5 mm, layering sodium silicate on one surface thereof to form a layer with a thickness of 0.3 mm, and layering expanded graphite on the other surface to form a layer with a thickness of 0.2 mm. (Comparison example 4)

[0268] The pad was made of a silicone foam with a thickness of 3 mm. (Comparison example 5)

[0269] The pad was manufactured in the same manner as in Invention Example 3, except that the thickness of each ceramic fiber was 0.9 mm and the silicone foam was foamed to a thickness of 0.25 mm.

[0270] The thicknesses of the pads and layers of Inventive Examples 1 to 15 are shown in Table 1 and the thicknesses of the pads and layers of Comparative Examples 1 to 5 are shown in Table 2.

[0271] (Unit: mm (the ratio between the thickness of the surface printing layer and the total thickness of the pad is %), and if the corresponding layer is not present, it is marked as '-') [Table 2] Comparison example 1 Comparison example 2 Comparison example 3 Comparison example 4 Comparison example 5 Whole pad 0,5 3 3 3 3 First barrier layer 0,07 0,3 - - 0,9 Second barrier layer 0,07 0,3 - - 0,9 Expansion layer (as a single layer) - First expansion layer 0,02 0,002 0,3 0,1 Second expansion layer 0,02 0,002 0,2 0,1 Support layer (as a single layer) - - - - 0,5 First support layer Second support layer Surface printing layer (as a single layer) 0,32 2,396 2,5 3 First surface printing layer 0,25 Second surface printing layer 0,25 Ratio of surface printing layer thickness to total pad thickness (%) 64,00 79,87 83,33 100,00 16,67 Evaluation Example 1: Evaluation of Thermal and Flame Barrier Properties 1. Burner Test - Evaluation of Back Temperature

[0272] A gas burner test was carried out on the pads of inventive examples 1 to 15 and the pads of comparative examples 1 to 5.

[0273] Flames with a temperature of 1100 °C to 1200 °C were directed onto one surface (the front side) of each pad at a distance of 140 mm for 300 seconds using a butane gas burner (0.11 Mpa±0.01). Then, the temperature of another surface (the back side) of each pad was measured, and the results are shown in Tables 3 and 4. 2. Burner test - Evaluation of hole formation

[0274] In the same manner as in the burner test of Evaluation Example 1, flames were applied to a surface (a front side) of each of the pads of Inventive Examples 1 to 15 and each of the pads of Comparative Examples 1 to 5, and it was evaluated whether a hole was formed in a surface (a back side) of each pad. Whether a hole was formed was observed with the naked eye and marked with ○ when no hole was formed, and with × when a hole was formed. The evaluation results are shown in Tables 3 and 4 below. 3. Fire retardancy test

[0275] A fire delay test was conducted to evaluate the degree of delay in fire propagation using test fixtures that can simulate the environment in battery modules and packs.

[0276] Specifically, a module device that can simulate the environment of a battery module and a packing device that can simulate the environment of a battery pack were prepared. The module device and the packing device contain materials and are designed to simulate the actual internal environment of the module and the pack, and an insulating plate (mica) was attached to the top and bottom of the module device and to an inner surface of the packing device to block the heat flow of the templates and the environment. One pad of the present disclosure was arranged for every three bag-type secondary battery cells in the module device, and the pad was also arranged on each of the outermost edge surfaces of the outermost cells at both ends. After a 100 × 90 mm 2After a large heating pad in the form of a mica-wrapped coil was inserted between one of the outermost cells at both ends and the pad on the outer edge, the pad was reinserted between the heating pad and the cell to finally form a test stack. A cell voltage meter was connected to each cell, the module device was inserted into the pack device and charged to 100% SOC, and a stabilization process was performed. The output voltage was 24 V.

[0277] The heating pad was heated to a maximum temperature of 250°C for two minutes. The time between the temperature of the cell heated by the heating pad was measured at 300°C and the measured voltage was 0 V was considered the explosion time of the last cell (farthest from the heating pad), and the time between the above times was measured as the "fire delay time." The fire delay times when using the heating pads of Inventive Examples 1 to 15 and the heating pads of Comparative Examples 1 to 5 are shown in Tables 3 and 4 below. Evaluation Example 2: Evaluation of Surface Pressure Performance 1. CFD (Compression Force Deflection) Evaluation

[0278] A CFD evaluation of the pads of inventive examples 1 to 15 and the pads of comparative examples 1 to 5 was performed.

[0279] Each of the pads from the inventive examples 1 to 15 and the pads from the comparative examples 1 to 5 were in a size of 50×50 mm 2 CFD evaluation was performed on each pad using a universal materials testing machine (ElectroPuls E3000, Instron). Pre-bending was performed twice at a rate of 250 mm / min up to 75% of the specimen thickness, followed by primary compression at a rate of 0.5 mm / min up to 80% of the specimen thickness after a rest period of 6±1 min. CFD was measured by calculating a strain-stress value by recognizing the point where a force of 500 gf was applied to the specimen as the zero point (0); the measurement results are listed in Tables 3 and 4. 2. Structural analysis evaluation module swelling cycle test

[0280] Whether or not a module casing is damaged due to a swelling phenomenon that occurs during progressive battery charge / discharge cycles was investigated using ABAQUS (Dassault Systems), a commercial structural analysis program.

[0281] 24 bag cells with an area of ​​550 × 110 mm 2 A cell constructed by stacking five each of the pads from Invention Examples 1 to 15 and the pads from Comparative Examples 1 to 5 was applied to the case with a 3 mm thick AL5052 sidewall for analysis. After a cell swelling degree of 2.5 mm, the occurrence of cracks in the case was confirmed by 1000 charge / discharge cycles. If no crack occurred, it was marked as ○, and if a crack occurred, it was marked as ○. The results are shown in Tables 3 and 4 below.

[0282] The measurement / evaluation results of Evaluation Examples 1 and 2, which were conducted on the pads of Inventive Examples 1 to 15 and the pads of Comparative Examples 1 to 5, are shown in the following Tables 3 and 4. [Table 3] InventiveExample1 InventiveExample2 InventiveExample3 InventiveExample4 InventiveExample5 InventiveExample6 InventiveExample7 InventiveExample8 InventiveExample9 InventiveExample10 InventiveExample11 InventiveExample12 InventiveExample13 InventiveExample14 InventiveExample15 Back temperature (°C) 246 206 195 185 189 310 170 219 241 190 287 245 181 188 191 RatingHole formation ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ Fire delay time(s) 338 335 445 477 455 188 517 398 340 470 408 308 439 469 467 CFD (20%, kPa) 52 55 51 110 129 213 324 40 12 111 57 30 171 59 40 Assessment of module damage ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ [Table 4] Comparative Example 1 Comparative Example 2 Comparative Example 3 Comparative Example 4 Comparative Example 5 Back temperature (°C) 412 380 518 660 178 RatingHole formation × ◯ × × ◯ Fire delay time(s) 95 108 53 43 497 CFD (20%, kPa) 38 31 30 23 10000↑ Assessment of module damage ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ ×

[0283] With reference to Inventive Examples 1 to 15, it was confirmed that a pad according to an embodiment of the present disclosure has excellent heat and flame barrier performance even with a relatively thin thickness, and at the same time, it was also confirmed that the surface pressure performance is also excellent. A battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes the above pad, and thus, it can be confirmed that the battery module has excellent stability and safety.

[0284] Comparative Example 1 has a similar structure to the pad according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, but it was confirmed that the heat and flame barrier effect was poor because the total thickness of the pad was too small.

[0285] Comparative Example 2 has a similar structure to the pad according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, but it was confirmed that the heat and flame barrier properties were poor because the reinforcing layer, especially the expansion layer, was too thin.

[0286] In Comparative Examples 3 and 4, unlike the pad according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, all or part of the heat and flame blocking configurations were omitted, and therefore, it was confirmed that the heat and flame blocking performance was very poor.

[0287] Comparative Example 5 has a similar structure to the pad according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, but it was confirmed that the surface pressure was very poor because the thickness of the surface pressure layer, particularly the ratio of the thickness of the surface pressure layer to the total thickness, is too small.

[0288] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a pad that achieves high heat resistance with a small thickness while effectively mitigating the influence of a swelling phenomenon.

[0289] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a battery module and a battery pack with improved safety and minimized volume increase.

[0290] Meanwhile, the present disclosure can be applied in the fields of electric vehicles, battery charging stations, energy storage systems (ESS), and other environmentally friendly technologies such as photovoltaics and wind power using batteries. Furthermore, the present disclosure can be used in environmentally friendly mobility, including electric and hybrid vehicles, to prevent climate change by suppressing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

[0291] The present disclosure can be modified and implemented in various forms, and its scope is not limited to the embodiments described above. The content described above is merely an example of the application of the principles of the present disclosure, and other features may be further incorporated without departing from the scope of the embodiments according to the present disclosure.

Claims

[1] Pad, comprising: a surface printing layer in the form of a plate; a first barrier layer and a second barrier layer each stacked on both surfaces of the surface printing layer in a predetermined stacking direction; and a reinforcing layer arranged in the predetermined stacking direction. [2] The pad of claim 1, wherein the thickness of the pad is between 0.55 mm and 5.5 mm. [3] A pad according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first barrier layer and the second barrier layer each independently comprise at least one of the materials selected from fibers and an inorganic material. [4] Pad according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the thickness of the first barrier layer and the second barrier layer is each independently between 0.05 mm and 1.0 mm. [5] A pad according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the surface printing layer comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of silicone, polyurethane (PU), acrylic, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), isoprene rubber, butadiene rubber, chloroprene rubber and butyl rubber. [6] A pad according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thickness of the surface printing layer is between 0.2 mm and 4.0 mm. [7] A pad according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thickness of the surface printing layer is between 20% and 82% of the total thickness of the pad. [8] A pad according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the reinforcement layer comprises an expansion layer, and wherein the expansion layer is arranged in the predetermined stacking direction at least between one of the surface printing layer and the first barrier layer and the surface printing layer and the second barrier layer. [9] A pad according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the expansion layer comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of expanded graphite, silicate and phosphorus-based flame retardants. [10] Pad according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the thickness of the expansion layer is between 0.015 mm and 1.0 mm. [11] Pad according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the reinforcing layer comprises an expansion layer, wherein the surface printing layer comprises a first surface printing layer and a second surface printing layer stacked in the predetermined stacking direction, and wherein the expansion layer is arranged between the first surface printing layer and the second surface printing layer. [12] Pad according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the reinforcing layer further comprises a support layer, wherein the surface printing layer comprises a first surface printing layer and a second surface printing layer stacked in the predetermined stacking direction, and wherein the support layer is arranged between the first surface printing layer and the second surface printing layer. [13] A pad according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support layer comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of graphite, mica, aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, wollastonite and aerogel. [14] Pad according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the thickness of the support layer is between 0.01 mm and 2.5 mm. [15] A pad according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the reinforcement layer further comprises a support layer, and wherein the support layer is stacked in the predetermined stacking direction on at least one of the first and second barrier layers. [16] A pad according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the reinforcing layer further comprises a support layer, and wherein the support layer is arranged between the surface pressure layer and the expansion layer. [17] A pad according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the reinforcement layer further comprises a support layer, and wherein the support layer is arranged in the predetermined stacking direction at least between one of the expansion layer and the first barrier layer and the expansion layer and the second barrier layer. [18] Battery module, comprising: a plurality of battery cells stacked in a predetermined stacking direction; a module housing that accommodates the plurality of battery cells; and the pad according to any one of the preceding claims, arranged between at least one pair of battery cells that are adjacent to each other in the plurality of battery cells. [19] The battery module of claim 18, wherein the plurality of battery cells are stacked to include at least one battery cell having one surface on which the pad is disposed and another surface opposite the one surface on which the pad is not disposed. [20] Battery pack comprising: a battery cell stack; and a housing that accommodates the battery cell stack comprising a plurality of battery cell stacks, where the battery cell stack comprises: a plurality of battery cells stacked in a predetermined stacking direction; and the pad according to any one of the preceding claims, arranged between at least one pair of battery cells that are adjacent to each other in the plurality of battery cells.

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