Battery device with fire protection function

Abstract

A battery device (3) is provided. The battery device has a plurality of side surfaces (10a-10f) including a bottom surface, a top surface opposite to the bottom surface, two side surfaces, a front surface, and a rear surface opposite to the front surface, and the plurality of side surfaces are assembled to form a sealed container, and the battery device includes a battery cell pack (20) disposed in the sealed container. The casing has at least one exhaust port (31) disposed in at least one of the plurality of side surfaces. The sealed container is configured to prevent heated gas generated in the event of a failure of the battery cell pack from exiting the casing in any other way than via the at least one exhaust port. The battery device further includes a filter (13) disposed in the at least one exhaust port for at least limiting the emission of a flame from the casing, and a terminal for connecting the battery device to a load, another battery device, or an external power source, and the at least one exhaust port is disposed in the rear surface of the casing.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a battery device having protection against fire propagation (or protection against thermal runaway), and more particularly to a battery device having a casing assembled to form a sealed container configured to prevent heated gases generated upon failure of the battery device from escaping the casing except through at least one exhaust port in the casing. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, the demand for battery devices has skyrocketed around the world. Efficient batteries are needed for automobiles, mobile devices, and backup applications to support essential functions during power failures or blackouts.

[0003] When a serious abnormality occurs in a battery cell pack disposed in a battery device, it may cause thermal runaway. At this time, combustion gases and flames may be generated inside the battery cell pack, which may affect other components of the battery device. The combustion gases and flames due to thermal runaway of the battery pack may lead to the battery pack or the entire device catching fire or exploding. In addition, there is an interest in protecting the devices adjacent to the battery device. Therefore, it would be of interest to provide a battery device that can handle a thermal runaway event and / or reduce the risk of a fire spreading within and / or from the battery device to the devices adjacent to the battery device. Summary of the Invention

[0004] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a battery arrangement which is able to mitigate at least some of the above-mentioned risks and / or drawbacks. To achieve this and / or at least one of the other objects, a battery arrangement is provided according to the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are defined by the dependent claims.

[0005] According to a first aspect, a battery device is provided. The battery device may include a casing, a battery cell pack, and a filter. The casing may have a plurality of side surfaces. The plurality of side surfaces may include a bottom surface, a top surface opposite to the bottom surface, two lateral surfaces, a front surface, and a rear surface opposite to the front surface. The plurality of side surfaces may be assembled to form a sealed container. The battery cell pack may be disposed within the casing, specifically, within a sealed container. The casing may include at least one exhaust port, and the exhaust port may be disposed on at least one of the plurality of side surfaces of the casing. The plurality of side surfaces of the casing may be assembled to form a sealed container. The sealed container may be configured to prevent heated gas generated upon failure of the battery cell pack from leaking outside the casing other than via the at least one exhaust port. A filter for restricting at least flame leakage from the casing may be disposed in the at least one exhaust port. A terminal for connecting the battery device to a load, another battery device, or an external power source may be disposed on the front side. The at least one exhaust port may be located on a rear side of the casing.

[0006] A battery cell pack may include a plurality of battery cells. A battery cell pack may also be referred to as a cell pack or an assembly of battery cells. Furthermore, the term "casing" may further refer to, for example, a housing, chassis, frame, chamber, enclosure, or body of a battery device.

[0007] A failure of the battery cell pack may include, for example, thermal runaway of the battery cell pack or at least one battery cell of the battery cell pack, and / or ignition of at least one battery cell of the battery cell pack or ignition by at least one battery cell of the battery cell pack. The malfunction may result in the propagation of heat and / or the presence of combustion smoke and / or gases within the casing of the battery device, thereby increasing the temperature and / or pressure within the casing.

[0008] The battery device according to the first aspect may deal more efficiently with the occurrence of such a fault in that the sides of the casing combine to form a sealed container, and the heated gas generated in the event of a fault leaves the casing (or the sealed container) only from the side where the exhaust port is located. Thus, the battery device provides an improved exhaust of the heated gas from the battery device. The battery device also provides a controlled way of exhausting the heated gas, in that the heated gas leaves the casing only at the exhaust port. Furthermore, the exhaust port is provided with a filter to handle flames resulting from a fire caused, for example, by a malfunction of the battery device. Such improved handling of faults may in turn reduce the risk of heat (or fire) propagation to other parts of the battery device and / or other devices located adjacent or near the battery device. The sealed container of the battery device of the present invention may contain the heated gas and thus prevent it from leaving the casing towards other equipment, such as, for example, an adjacent battery device. Similarly, a filter disposed at the exhaust outlet is configured to restrict flames, sparks, and / or heating or burning particles, such as heated metal particles, from exiting the casing, thereby also reducing the risk of fire spread from the battery device to equipment adjacent to the battery device.

[0009] The exhaust may be coupled to a ventilation space outside the battery device, such as the ambient air of the room in which the battery device is located. As described above, a failure of a battery cell pack causing, for example, the generation of heated gases within the battery device will increase pressure within the casing, and when the sides of the casing are assembled to form an enclosed container, such heated gases will be forced to exit the casing via the exhaust(s).

[0010] By the term "outlet" it is further meant, for example, a duct, an outlet, a vent and / or an opening. Furthermore, the enclosure may also be referred to as an airtight enclosure or a gastight enclosure.

[0011] The filter may be constructed from a flame retardant and heat resistant material that may include chemicals and / or compounds that may increase the flame resistance of the filter. The flame retardant and heat resistant material may be capable of withstanding a temperature of at least 1500° C. for at least 300 seconds.

[0012] The sides of the casing may include heat resistant and flame retardant materials.

[0013] The material of the casing may, for example, contain chemicals and / or compounds that may increase the flame retardancy of the casing. However, the requirements on the material of the casing in terms of temperature and / or flame retardancy may be lower than for the filter, since the thermal mass of the casing may prevent the casing from melting or at least reduce the risk of this. The material of the casing may, for example, include aluminum and / or steel. However, other materials may be envisaged, in particular other metals or metal alloys.

[0014] The sides of the casing may be assembled together along joints and a sealing element (eg, a sealant, gasket, or the like) may be disposed at the joints.

[0015] The term "joint" further means, for example, a seam, an intersection, a junction, a bond, a hinge, or an edge. A junction may be defined along a portion where the sides of the casing meet and / or abut. For example, a side of the casing may meet another side of the casing along a junction. The sides of the casing may then be attached together by fastening means or fasteners, such as, for example, screws, bolts, nails, rivets, nuts, couplings, or studs. A sealing element or sealant may then be disposed at such junction. The sealant may be disposed on the fastening means or fasteners used to assemble or attach the sides of the casing together. The sealant may include a material for sealing the joint to be air-tight and / or gas-tight. The sealant may include at least one of silicone, epoxy, plaster, and joint compound.

[0016] As an alternative to the use of sealing elements or sealants to form a hermetic container, multiple sides of the casing may be hermetically welded together. In some variations, multiple sides of the casing may be assembled together to form a hermetic container using a combination of hermetic welding (on some of the sides) and the use of fasteners and sealants as described above (on other sides of the casing).

[0017] The sealed container may be delimited by a plurality of sides of the casing. The term "delimited" further means, for example, restricted, constrained, bound. At least one of the plurality of sides of the casing may be comprised of a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of one of the plurality of sides may be assembled to form the sealed container. For example, each of the bottom, top, and side surfaces of the casing may be comprised of a first portion and a second portion, and the first portions of the bottom, top, and side surfaces and the first portions of the back and front surfaces of the casing may be assembled to form the sealed container. The second portions of the bottom, top, and side surfaces may extend beyond the front surface to form, for example, a compartment (different from the sealed container, but possibly adjacent to the sealed container). The compartment may include, for example, an electronic device, an electrical connection, and / or an electrical circuit. Thus, the front surface of the casing may be disposed between the compartment and the battery cell pack. Such compartments may further protect the electronic devices, electrical connections and / or terminals of the battery pack from heat and / or fire generated within the enclosed container in which the battery pack is located.

[0018] The battery device may further include a front panel disposed on a front surface of one of the multiple side surfaces. The front panel may include, for example, electrical connections, electronic devices, and / or circuits. The arrangement of the front panel on one of the multiple side surfaces of the casing may form, for example, a compartment in which electronic devices are disposed, in front of the front surface of the casing as described above. In this way, in the event of a failure of the battery pack, heated gas and flames, sparks, residues, and the like resulting from the failure are contained within the sealed container, thereby protecting the front panel and the electronic devices disposed in such a compartment.

[0019] Furthermore, in the context of this disclosure, a casing may more generally include a top surface, a bottom surface, and a number of sides. The number of sides may be any number, for example, four or more, depending on the shape of the casing. However, a casing may often have six sides (top surface, bottom surface, front surface, back surface, and two side surfaces). The side of the casing where the front panel is located may be the front surface, and the side of the casing where the exhaust port is located may therefore be the back surface of the casing (the surface opposite to the front surface where the front panel may be located).

[0020] The battery cell pack may be arranged in the casing such that the heated gas (and flame) is directed to the exhaust via at least one passage (or space) located between the battery cell pack and the top surface of the casing or between the battery cell pack and the bottom surface of the casing. The battery cell pack may be arranged, for example, on the bottom side of the casing or in a (semi-)suspended state in the casing. The battery cell pack may be arranged in a raised position, for example, with (plastic) pins for attaching the battery cell pack to the bottom surface of the casing, whereby a passage (or space) may exist between the battery cell pack and the bottom surface of the casing. The battery cell pack may alternatively be arranged in a suspended or intermediate position (relative to the sides and / or front and back) with (plastic) pins for attaching the battery cell pack to one or more of the sides, front and back.

[0021] The battery cell pack may be disposed and / or attached to a bottom surface of the casing. The sealed casing may include at least a space between the battery cell pack and at least one of a side, a back, and a front surface of the casing. A battery cell pack disposed on the bottom surface of the casing may be able to more efficiently exhaust heated gas from the casing of the battery device.

[0022] The front panel and / or the connection terminals and the exhaust port may be disposed on opposite sides of the casing of the battery device. In this way, heated gas generated in the event of an abnormality in the battery cell pack is exhausted in a direction away from the front panel and / or the connection terminals. This provides further protection for the front panel and / or the connection terminals, and further improves the operational safety of the battery device.

[0023] The casing may include a single exhaust port disposed on a rear surface of the casing. The single exhaust port may be disposed through the rear surface of the casing. The single outlet port may be disposed in a central portion of the rear surface.

[0024] The filter may be disposed on a rear surface of the casing. The filter may be disposed so as to cover the entirety of the single outlet. One of the multiple side surfaces includes an inner surface and an outer surface, and the inner surface may be opposite to the outer surface. The inner surface may be a surface facing the inside of the casing (hereinafter may be referred to as an inward surface), and the outer surface may be a surface facing the outside of the casing (hereinafter may be referred to as an outward surface). The filter may be disposed on the inward surface of the rear surface of the casing, or on the outward surface of the rear surface of the casing.

[0025] In some variations, the casing may include multiple exhaust ports, at least some of the multiple exhaust ports being located on a side of the casing and other exhaust ports being located on another side of the casing. For example, the casing may include at least one exhaust port provided on a rear surface of the casing and at least one exhaust port provided on a top surface of the casing. The at least one exhaust port may be located to improve and possibly most efficiently exhaust heated gas generated upon failure of a battery cell of the battery cell pack. For example, two adjacent battery devices may each include at least one exhaust port at a different position relative to each other (e.g., at a different level relative to the bottom surface or at a different distance from the bottom surface).

[0026] The at least one outlet may occupy at least 25% of the area of ​​the rear surface of the casing. Preferably, the outlet may occupy at least 40% of the area of ​​the rear surface of the casing. The at least one outlet may occupy between 35% and 80% of the area of ​​the rear surface of the casing.

[0027] The battery cell pack may occupy about 40-90% of the volume of the sealed container. As mentioned above, the battery cell pack may be located at the bottom of the casing, or may be located in an intermediate position such that there is a passage for the heated gas between the bottom and the battery cell pack and / or another passage between the top and the battery cell pack.

[0028] The battery cell pack may include an array of lithium ion based battery cells.The battery cell pack may include an array of rechargeable battery cells.

[0029] As mentioned above, the battery device may include electrical terminals, for example, provided on a front panel of the battery device. The electrical terminals may be adapted for connection to an external power source (such as another battery device or a mains power source) and a load (such as electrical equipment at a base station). The battery device is configured to operate in a charge mode, in which the battery cell pack is charged by an external power source, and in a discharge mode, in which the load is powered by the battery device.

[0030] The above described embodiments relate particularly to a battery device configured to operate as a back-up battery in the event of a mains power failure, for example in telecommunications in a wireless communication base station.

[0031] It should be noted that other embodiments may be envisioned that use all possible combinations of the features described in the above embodiments. Thus, the present disclosure also relates to all possible combinations of the features described herein. Any embodiment described herein can be combined with other embodiments described herein, and the present disclosure relates to all combinations of features. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0032] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a battery device according to one or more exemplary embodiments. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a battery device according to one or more exemplary embodiments. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a battery device according to one or more exemplary embodiments. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a battery device according to one or more exemplary embodiments. [Diagram 5] 5 is a cross-sectional view of a battery device according to one or more exemplary embodiments. All figures are schematic and not necessarily to scale, and generally show only those parts necessary to elucidate embodiments of the invention, while other parts may be omitted or merely suggested. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0033] The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which exemplary embodiments are shown. However, the concept of the present invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments shown herein, but rather, these embodiments are provided as examples so that this disclosure will convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the same reference numerals indicate the same or similar components having the same or similar functions, unless otherwise specified.

[0034] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a battery device 1 according to one or more exemplary embodiments.

[0035] The battery device 1 shown in FIG. 1 comprises a casing 10. The casing 10 depicted in FIG. 1 is a rectangular parallelepiped cube with equal width and length. The height of the cube-shaped casing 10 is less than the width and length of the casing 10. However, the inventive concept is not limited to the casing 10 having the shape shown in FIG. 1. For example, the casing 10 may have any geometric three-dimensional (3D) shape. The casing 10 comprises a bottom surface 10e (not shown, see FIGS. 3 and 5), a top surface 10f, two side surfaces 10c, 10d, a front surface 10b, and a rear surface 10a. The top surface 10f is shown disposed above the casing 10 (i.e., not yet assembled). However, the placement of the top surface 10f in the drawings is purely for ease of illustrating some of the internal components of the battery device 1.

[0036] The battery device 1 further includes a battery cell pack 20. The battery cell pack 20 is disposed within the casing 10. The battery cell pack 20 may include a plurality of battery cells and a frame for holding the plurality of battery cells. That is, the battery cell pack 20 includes an arrangement of battery cells. For example, the battery cell pack 20 may include an arrangement of lithium-ion battery cells. The battery cells may have a cylindrical shape. For example, the battery cells may be disposed in an upright state on the frame.

[0037] 1, the battery cell pack 20 may be disposed on the bottom surface 10e of the casing. The battery cell pack may not occupy the entire volume of the casing, and there may be spaces located between the battery cell pack 20 and the sides 10c, 10d, front surface 10b, rear surface 10a, and top surface 10f of the casing.

[0038] The side surfaces 10a to 10f of the casing 10 are assembled to form a sealed container. The sealed container (inside which the battery pack 20 is disposed) is configured so that heated gas in the event of an abnormality in the battery pack 20 does not escape to the outside of the casing 10 except through an exhaust port 31 provided on one side surface of the casing 10. In this embodiment, the exhaust port 31 is disposed on the rear surface 10a of the casing 10.

[0039] The side surfaces 10d, 10d may be assembled along the inner surface of the bottom surface 10e facing the inside of the casing 10 and the opposing edges of the bottom surface 10e, where the edges can be understood as the lateral edges of the bottom surface 10e. The front surface 10b and the rear surface 10a are assembled on the inner surface of the bottom surface 10e along the edges of the bottom surface 10e, where the edges can be understood as the leading edge and the trailing edge of the bottom surface 10e, respectively. In other words, the side surfaces, the front surface and the rear surface 10a-10d are assembled on the inner surface of the bottom surface 10e along the respective edges of the bottom surface 10e.

[0040] The side, front and rear surfaces 10a-10d may be at right angles to the bottom surface 10e to form a rectangular parallelepiped (or box). The top surface 10f is assembled on the side, front and rear surfaces 10a-10d. Thus, the side, front and rear surfaces 10a-10d may be assembled between the edges of the bottom surface 10e and the top surface 10f, respectively. That is, the side surfaces 10a-10f of the casing 10 may be assembled along a plurality of edges 11.

[0041] The side surfaces 10a-10f may be assembled in a number of different ways. The side surfaces 10a-10d may be assembled to the bottom surface 10e and / or top surface 10f by joints, adhesives, screws, plugs, clips, nuts, bolts, tracks formed in one or more of the side surfaces (an edge of the side surface may slide, for example, in a track formed in the bottom surface), or any combination thereof. For example, the side surfaces 10c, 10d may be assembled to the bottom surface 10e using a joint (e.g., a groove, groove joint, or a halved joint, etc.). The side surfaces 10c, 10d may be further assembled to the bottom surface 10e using, for example, adhesives, screws, plugs, nuts, and / or bolts. The side surfaces 10a-10f may be assembled together in such a way as to avoid, or at least reduce, the occurrence of gaps along adjacent side surfaces 10a-10f. In other words, the side surfaces 10a-10f may be assembled to form an airtight connection between each other. Additionally or alternatively, the sides 10a-10f, or at least some of them, may be welded together to form a sealed container. The airtight connection between the sides 10a-10f may be airtight and / or gastight. Also, when the sides are assembled using fasteners or fasteners as described above, a sealant may be employed to form a sealed container. Thereby, the exhaust port 31 of the casing 10 can be the only outlet for the heated gas generated during an abnormality of the battery cell pack 20.

[0042] The outlet 31 shown in Figure 1 is formed by a hole or opening in the rear surface 10a of the casing 10. It will be understood that the outlet 31 may be located on any surface of the casing 10. In the example shown in Figure 1, the outlet 31 has a rectangular shape. However, the outlet 31 may have virtually any geometric shape, such as, for example, a circle or a triangle.

[0043] Furthermore, the casing 10 may include at least one additional outlet located on the same side as the outlet 31, e.g., the back side, or on another side surface 10b-10f of the casing 10. The outlet 31 may be located, for example, in the center of the back side 10a. The outlet 31 may occupy about 40% of the area of ​​the back side 10a. However, the outlet 31 may have substantially any size. For example, the casing 10 may include multiple outlets 31 located on the back side 10a, with the total area of ​​the multiple outlets corresponding to at least 25% of the area of ​​the back side 10a.

[0044] The battery device 1 includes a filter 13 disposed at the exhaust port 31. The filter 13 is provided to restrict at least a flame (which may occur when an abnormality occurs in a battery cell of the battery pack 20 and lead to a fire) from escaping from the casing 10. The filter 13 is disposed to completely cover the exhaust port 31. Thus, heated gas resulting from a failure of the battery pack 20 is exhausted from the casing 10 through the exhaust port 31, and the filter 13 prevents flames and / or residue resulting from a fire from escaping from the casing 10.

[0045] In some variations, the filter 13 may cover a larger area of ​​the back surface 10a than the area of ​​the outlet 31, so that the filter 13 completely covers the outlet 31. Thus, the filter may overlap a portion of the back surface 10a adjacent to the outlet 31 (or a surface of the back surface around the outlet 31). The filter 13 may be disposed on the inner surface of the back surface 10a, the inner surface of which faces the inside of the casing 10, or on the outer surface of the back surface 10a, the outer surface of which faces the outside of the casing. The filter 13 may be attached to the outlet 31 and / or the back surface 10a of the casing 10. The filter 13 may be attached to the casing 10 using, for example, adhesives, screws, clips, bolts, nuts, or a combination thereof.

[0046] 1 may include, for example, electrical terminals for electrically connecting the battery cell pack 20 to another device or system. The electrical terminals may be disposed, for example, through the front surface 10b of the casing 10.

[0047] Incidentally, the battery device 1 may be used as a backup battery for a base station in a communication system. Therefore, the battery device 1 may be electrically coupled to a power supply device (e.g., a main power source) for charging the cells of the battery cell pack 20 (charging mode of the battery device) and to a device of the base station for supplying power (discharging mode of the battery device).

[0048] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a cross section of a battery device 1 according to one or more exemplary embodiments. The battery device 2 shown in Figure 2 may include features, elements and / or functions corresponding to the battery device 1 described with reference to Figure 1. In Figures 1 and 2, the same reference numerals indicate the same or similar components having the same or similar functions.

[0049] The difference between the battery devices 1 and 2 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is that a (separate) front panel 12 is disposed on the front surface 10b of the casing 10 of the battery device 2 shown in FIG.

[0050] The front surface 10b is disposed on the inner surface of the bottom surface 10e (not shown, see Figs. 3 and 5), and the inner surface faces the inside of the casing 10. The front surface 10b is disposed parallel to the rear surface 10a. The front surface 10b is disposed at a distance from the front edge of the bottom surface 10e. Therefore, the distance between the front surface 10b and the rear surface 10a is smaller than the length of the bottom surface 10e. The front surface 10b is disposed between the side surfaces 10c and 10d. The side surfaces 10a to 10f are assembled to form a sealed container, and the sealed container is partitioned by the side surfaces 10a to 10f of the casing. As a result, the sealed container is formed by the front surface 10b, the rear surface 10a, and at least parts of the side surfaces 10c and 10d, a part of the bottom surface 10e, and a part of the top surface 10f.

[0051] The portions of the side 10c, 10d, bottom 10e and top 10f that form the sealed container together with the front 10b and rear 10a can be understood as first portions of the side 10c, 10d, bottom 10e and top 10f, respectively. The side 10c, 10d, bottom 10e and top 10f may further include second portions. The second portions of the side 10c, 10d, bottom 10e and top 10f extend from the front 10b of the casing 10. The second portions may form a compartment that is different from the sealed container but is arranged adjacent to the sealed container. That is, the compartment is a rectangular parallelepiped with one side open or missing. The compartment of the battery device 2 is arranged to receive a front panel 12 and / or terminals for connecting the battery device 2 to a load, another battery device or an external power source. The front panel 12 and / or terminals may be arranged in front of the front 10b. Thereby, the front panel 12 and / or the terminals are protected by the front surface 10b from heated gases and / or flames that may occur upon failure of the battery cell pack 20. Note that the compartment may be formed by a second portion of at least one of the side surfaces 10c, 10d, the bottom surface 10e, and the top surface 10f.

[0052] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a battery device 3 according to one or more exemplary embodiments.

[0053] The battery device 3 shown in Figure 3 may include features, elements and / or functions corresponding to the battery devices 1 and 2 described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, respectively. The same reference numerals in Figures 1, 2 and 3 indicate the same or similar components having the same or similar functions.

[0054] The battery device 3 shown in Figure 3 does not have a top surface 10f, however, the absence of the top surface 10f in Figure 3 is purely for ease of illustrating the internal components of the battery device 3.

[0055] The bottom surface 10e has a length measured in a direction parallel to the axis L, as shown in FIG. 3. The bottom surface 10e has a width measured in a direction parallel to the axis W, also shown in FIG. 3. The axes L and W are perpendicular to each other. The front surface 10b has a length, in a longitudinal extension of the front surface 10b, that is shorter than the width of the bottom surface 10e. The front surface 10b may be disposed such that there is a distance between the longitudinal end of the front surface 10b and the lateral end of the bottom surface 10e, the distance being measured in a direction parallel to the axis W. This distance provides a space for the side surfaces 10c, 10d to be disposed on the bottom surface 10e. The distance may be substantially equal to the thickness of the side surfaces 10c, 10d. Furthermore, the front surface 10b may be disposed at a distance from the front edge of the bottom surface 10e, the distance being measured in a direction that is parallel to the axis L. The distance between the front edge of the front surface 10b and the front edge of the bottom surface 10e at least partially defines a compartment for receiving the electronic device. The compartment may be configured to receive the front panel 12.

[0056] The front panel 12 may include terminals for electrical connection to some electrical device, such as another battery pack, a load, or an external power source. The front panel 12 may also include a heat sink provided to dissipate heat generated by the battery cell pack 20.

[0057] The battery device 3 may further comprise electrical connections and / or wiring for connecting the battery cell pack to the front panel 12 and / or terminals for electrical connection to other devices. The electrical connections and / or wiring may be located at least partially within the compartment. Furthermore, the electrical connections and / or wiring may be coupled to the battery cell pack 20 via the front face 10b. The electrical connections and / or wiring may be insulated, i.e., the electrical connections and / or wiring may be protected in the event of a failure of the battery cell pack 20.

[0058] The sides 10c, 10d of the casing 10 include threaded holes configured to receive screws, nuts, or bolts. The front panel 12 can be fastened to the casing 10 by screws, nuts, or bolts that are inserted into the threaded holes in the sides 10c, 10d of the casing 10 and fastened.

[0059] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a battery device 4 according to one or more exemplary embodiments. The battery device 4 shown in Figure 4 may include features, elements and / or functions corresponding to those of the battery devices 1 to 3 described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. In Figures 1 to 4, the same reference numerals indicate the same or similar components having the same or similar functions.

[0060] The battery device 4 shown in FIG. 4 differs from the battery devices 1 to 3 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 in that the battery device 4 shown in FIG. 4 further includes a sealant 50. The sealant 50 is disposed at a plurality of joints 11 of the casing 10 so that the joints 11 of the casing 10 are sealed. Furthermore, the sealant may be disposed at openings and / or openings of the casing, such as screw holes for receiving screws and nuts, and vias for electrical connection and wiring. The sealant 50 may be disposed on the inside and / or outside of the casing 20. The sealant 50 may be disposed on the casing 10 to improve the degree of sealing of the sealed container formed by combining the plurality of sides of the casing. The sealant 50 may be a substance for preventing the passage of a fluid. The sealant may be, for example, a mechanical seal. The sealant 50 may include an adhesive. The sealant 50 may be comprised of silicone, polyurethane, polysulfide, silane modified polymer, butyl, bitumen, synthetic rubber, acrylate dispersions, and / or silicone emulsions. Additionally, the sealant 50 may be a sealing tape, a sealing putty, and / or a sealing profile.

[0061] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a battery device 5 according to one or more exemplary embodiments.

[0062] The battery device 5 comprises a casing 10 having a back surface 10a, a front surface 10b, a bottom surface 10e and a top surface 10f. It will be understood that the casing further comprises two side surfaces 10c, 10d. However, the absence of the sides 10c, 10d is purely for ease of illustration of the internal components of the battery device 5. The sides 10a-10f of the casing 10 are assembled to form a sealed container, which is defined by the sides 10a-10f of the casing 10.

[0063] The battery device 5 includes a battery cell pack 20. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the battery cell pack 20 is arranged on the bottom surface 10e of the casing 10 such that heated gases and flames are directed to an outlet 31 arranged on the back surface 10a of the casing through passages or spaces located between the battery cell pack 20 and the top surface 10f, the front surface 10b, and the back surface 10a. However, although in this embodiment the battery cell pack 20 is shown arranged on the bottom surface of the casing, it may be arranged in a different position, for example in a (semi) suspended or elevated position within the casing. That is, the battery cell pack may alternatively be arranged so as not to be in physical contact with either the bottom surface 10e or the top surface 10f of the casing 10. Also, the battery cell pack may be elevated from the bottom surface of the casing or attached to one or more other side surfaces of the casing, for example by means of (plastic) pins.

[0064] The battery device 5 includes a filter 13 disposed at the exhaust port 31. The filter 13 is configured to at least restrict the escape of flame from the casing 10.

[0065] The battery cell pack 20 shown in Figure 5 illustrates a case where heated gases and possibly a flame are generated upon thermal runaway of at least one (or some) of the battery cells of the battery cell pack 20, or more generally, due to malfunction of at least one (or some) of the battery cells and / or the battery cell pack 20. The heated gases and / or flames are shown in Figure 5 as emanating from some of the battery cells. The cells of the battery cell pack 20 are arranged such that the heated gases and / or flames face upwards in the space between the battery cell pack and the top surface 10f. When the sides 10a-10f of the casing 10 are assembled to form a sealed container, the heated gases and flames are directed towards the exhaust port 31 of the casing 10.

[0066] The heated gas is prevented from leaving the casing 10 by the enclosure, except through the exhaust 31. Flame and / or debris such as heated metal particles are restricted from leaving the casing 10 by a filter 13.

[0067] While the present invention has been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and the foregoing description, such illustrations are considered to be exemplary or illustrative and not restrictive, and the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the appended claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite articles "a" or "an" do not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be interpreted as limiting the scope.

[0068] LIST OF EMBODIMENTS 1. A casing (10) having a plurality of side surfaces (10a to 10f); a battery cell pack (20) disposed within the casing; The casing includes at least one exhaust port (31) disposed on at least one of the plurality of sides; a plurality of sides of the casing are assembled to form a sealed container configured to prevent heated gas generated upon failure of the battery cell pack from exiting the casing except through the at least one exhaust port; The filter (13) is disposed at the at least one exhaust port to restrict at least a flame from exiting the casing. Battery device (3).

[0069] 2. The battery device of embodiment 1, wherein the filter is made of a flame-retardant and heat-resistant material.

[0070] 3. The battery device of embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the multiple sides of the casing include a heat-resistant material and / or a flame-retardant material.

[0071] 4. The battery device of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the casing's sides (10a-10f) are assembled together along a plurality of edges (11), and sealing elements are disposed on said edges.

[0072] 5. The battery device of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein sides of the casing are hermetically welded to form a sealed container.

[0073] 6. The battery device of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the sealed container is defined by the multiple sides of the casing.

[0074] 7. The battery device of any one of the preceding embodiments, further comprising a front panel (12) disposed on a front side of one of the plurality of sides.

[0075] 8. The battery device of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the plurality of sides of the casing include a bottom surface, a top surface opposite the bottom surface, two side surfaces, a front surface, and a back surface opposite the front surface. 9. The battery device of embodiment 8, wherein the battery cell pack is disposed within the casing such that heated gas is directed toward the exhaust port through at least a passage located between the battery cell pack and the top surface of the casing or between the battery cell pack and the bottom surface of the casing.

[0076] 10. A battery device of embodiment 8 or 9, wherein terminals for connecting the battery device to a load, another battery device or an external power source are located on the front surface, and the at least one exhaust port is located on the rear surface of the casing.

[0077] 11. The battery device of any one of embodiments 8 to 10, wherein the casing includes one exhaust port disposed on the rear surface of the casing.

[0078] 12. The battery device of embodiment 11, wherein the at least one exhaust port occupies at least 25% of the area of ​​the rear surface of the casing.

[0079] 13. The battery device of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the battery cell pack includes an array of lithium-ion based battery cells.

[0080] 14. The battery device of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the battery cell pack occupies approximately 40-90% of the volume of the sealed container.

[0081] 15. The battery device of any one of the preceding embodiments, further comprising electrical terminals for connection to an external power source and a load, wherein the battery device is configured to operate in a charging mode in which the battery cell pack is charged by the external power source and in a discharging mode in which power is supplied to the load by the battery device.

Claims

1. A battery device (3), A casing (10) having a plurality of side surfaces (10a to 10f) including a bottom surface, a top surface opposite to the bottom surface, two side surfaces, a front surface, and a back surface opposite to the front surface, the plurality of side surfaces being assembled to form a sealed container; a battery cell pack (20) disposed within the sealed container; the casing includes at least one exhaust port (31) disposed on at least one of the plurality of sides; the sealed container is configured to prevent heated gas generated in the event of a failure of the battery cell pack from exiting the casing other than through the at least one exhaust port; A filter (13) is disposed at the at least one exhaust port for at least limiting flame egress from the casing; a terminal for connecting the battery device to a load, another battery device, or an external power source is disposed on the front surface, and the at least one exhaust port is disposed on the rear surface of the casing; Battery device.

2. The battery device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of sides are assembled to form a compartment with the enclosed container, and the terminal is disposed within the compartment.

3. 3. The battery device according to claim 1, wherein the filter is made of a flame-retardant and heat-resistant material.

4. The battery device according to claim 1 , wherein the side surfaces of the casing include a heat resistant material and / or a flame retardant material.

5. The battery device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sides (10a-10f) of the casing are assembled together along edges (11), and sealing elements are arranged on the edges.

6. The battery device of claim 1 , wherein the sides of the casing are hermetically welded to form the sealed container.

7. The battery device according to claim 1 , wherein the sealed container is defined by the plurality of side surfaces of the casing.

8. 8. The battery device of claim 1, further comprising a front panel (12) disposed in front of said front surface.

9. 9. The battery device of claim 1, wherein the battery cell pack is disposed within the casing such that heated gas is directed toward the exhaust port through at least a passage located between the battery cell pack and the top surface of the casing or between the battery cell pack and the bottom surface of the casing.

10. 10. The battery device of claim 1, wherein the at least one exhaust port occupies at least 25% of the area of ​​the rear surface of the casing.

11. The battery device of claim 10 , wherein the casing includes one vent located on the rear surface of the casing.

12. 12. The battery device of claim 1, wherein the battery cell pack includes an array of lithium-ion type battery cells.

13. 12. The battery device of claim 1, wherein the battery cell pack occupies about 40-90% of the volume of the sealed container.

14. 4. The battery device of claim 1, wherein the battery device is configured to operate in a charge mode in which the battery cell pack is charged by the external power source and in a discharge mode in which the load is powered by the battery device.

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