Battery pack

Abstract

To provide a battery pack.SOLUTION: A battery pack includes a housing and a plurality of battery modules included in the housing. The battery module can include a plurality of battery cells, a case including the battery cells, a first fire-proof sheet on the case, and a first spacer existing on the case and separating the first fire-proof sheet from an upper surface of the case.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack. [Background technology]

[0002] A secondary battery is a battery designed to be rechargeable and dischargeable, and can be used as an energy source for mobile devices, electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, electric bicycles, uninterruptible power supplies, etc. Depending on the type of external device to which it is applied, a secondary battery can be used in the form of a single battery cell, or in the form of a module or pack in which multiple battery cells are connected and bundled into a single unit.

[0003] The information disclosed in the background of the invention above is intended to enhance understanding of the background of the invention and may include information that does not constitute prior art. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack that can quickly extinguish a fire in a battery module and prevent the fire from spreading.

[0005] However, the technical problems that the present invention aims to solve are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description of the invention. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The battery pack may include a housing and a plurality of battery modules contained in the housing, and the battery module may include a plurality of battery cells, a case containing the plurality of battery cells, a first fireproof sheet on the case, and a first spacer on the case that separates the first fireproof sheet from an upper surface of the case.

[0007] The first fireproof sheet may include a plurality of first fireproof sheets, and the battery module may further include a second spacer connecting the plurality of first fireproof sheets, and the plurality of first fireproof sheets may be spaced apart from each other.

[0008] The plurality of first fireproof sheets may correspond to the plurality of battery modules, respectively.

[0009] The second spacer may include a flame-retardant material, and both ends in the longitudinal direction may be located inside both ends of the first fire-resistant sheet.

[0010] The first spacer may include a plurality of first spacers, and the plurality of first spacers may be arranged along an edge of the case.

[0011] The plurality of first spacers may be adjacent to an edge of the case and may be spaced inward from the edge.

[0012] The first spacer may include a multi-layered flame-retardant material, and the top surface of the first spacer may be in contact with the bottom surface of the first fire-resistant sheet.

[0013] The case may include a first case and a second case coupled onto the first case and including the plurality of battery cells together with the first case.

[0014] The battery pack may further include a substrate disposed on the battery module and electrically connected to the battery module.

[0015] The protrusions may include a plurality of first upper protrusions formed on an upper surface of the second case, and a plurality of second upper protrusions formed on the upper surface of the second case spaced apart from the plurality of first upper protrusions.

[0016] The battery module may further include a first film covering a bottom surface of the first case and a second film covering an upper surface of the second case.

[0017] The second film may be spaced apart from a bottom surface of the housing.

[0018] The first fire protection sheet may include a flame retardant material or may contain a fire extinguishing agent therein, and may surround three sides of the upper part of the case.

[0019] The first fireproof sheet may include a first body portion covering an upper surface of the case, and two first frame portions extending downward from two long side portions of the first body portion.

[0020] The lower end of the first frame portion may be located above the center of the case in the height direction, or below the upper end of the case.

[0021] The case may include a case protrusion protruding downward from a bottom surface thereof, and the bottom surface of the housing may be spaced apart from a bottom surface of the case by the case protrusion.

[0022] The housing may include a housing protrusion on a bottom surface, and the housing protrusion may be inserted into the case protrusion, or the case protrusion may be inserted into the housing protrusion.

[0023] The battery module may further include a second fireproof sheet on a bottom surface of the housing, the second fireproof sheet covering the entire bottom surfaces of the plurality of battery modules.

[0024] The second fireproof sheet may include a flame-retardant material or may contain a fire-extinguishing agent therein, and may surround three sides of the lower part of the case.

[0025] The second fireproof sheet may include a second body portion covering a bottom surface of the case and two second frame portions extending upward from two long sides of the second body portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0026] The battery pack according to the embodiment of the present invention may quickly extinguish a fire and prevent the spread of a fire without forming a separate projectile or applying an additional component to other components of the battery pack. The battery pack according to the embodiment of the present invention may prevent the deflection of the sheet due to the fire extinguishing and arson of the battery module.

[0027] However, the effects obtained through the present invention are not limited to the effects described above, and other technical effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description of the present invention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0028] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate embodiments of the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention to be described later, serve to further understand the technical concept of the present invention. The present invention is not to be interpreted as being limited to the matters shown in the drawings. [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a battery pack. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram showing the rear surface of the battery pack. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a battery module and a substrate. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the battery module and the substrate. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the battery module. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the battery module. [Figure 7] 1 is a view showing a first fireproof sheet and a first spacer. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the battery pack. [Figure 9]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the battery pack. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] Some embodiments of the present disclosure and methods therefor may be understood with reference to the detailed description of the embodiments and the drawings. The described embodiments may have various modifications and be implemented in other forms and are not limited to the embodiments described herein. Furthermore, the features of the various embodiments of the present disclosure may be combined in part or in whole with each other. The embodiments may be implemented independently of each other or in conjunction with each other. The described embodiments are provided as examples and are intended to fully convey the concept of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. The present disclosure may be substituted by all modifications, equivalents, and other elements within the concept and technical scope of the present invention. Therefore, descriptions of processes, elements, and techniques that are unnecessary for those of ordinary skill in the art to fully understand the embodiments of the present disclosure may be omitted.

[0030] Unless otherwise specified, the same reference numerals, characters, or combinations thereof throughout the accompanying drawings and the specification indicate the same components, and therefore, redundant explanations will be omitted. In addition, parts that are not relevant to the explanation will be omitted in order to clearly explain the present invention.

[0031] In the drawings, the relative sizes of elements, layers, and regions may be exaggerated for clarity. In the accompanying drawings, the use of hatching and / or shading is generally provided to clarify boundaries between adjacent elements. Therefore, the presence or absence of hatching or shading does not indicate desired forms or requirements regarding specific materials, material properties, dimensions, proportions, commonalities between drawing elements, and / or other properties, attributes, etc. of elements unless specified.

[0032] Various embodiments are described herein with reference to cross-sectional views that are schematic illustrations of embodiments and / or intermediate structures. Therefore, the shapes of the drawings may vary, for example, as a result of manufacturing techniques and / or tolerances. Furthermore, specific structural or functional descriptions disclosed herein are merely examples for describing embodiments according to the concepts of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed herein should not be construed as limited to the shapes of the illustrated regions, and include, for example, deviations in shapes due to manufacturing.

[0033] The illustrated regions are diagrammatic in nature, and their shapes are not intended to illustrate or limit the actual shapes of device regions. Moreover, as one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize, the illustrated embodiments can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure.

[0034] In this specification, numerous specific details are presented to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments. However, various embodiments may be practiced without, or including, one or more of these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the various embodiments.

[0035] For convenience of description, spatially relative terms such as "below," "above," "lower," and "upper" may be used herein to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element or feature as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms are intended to encompass various orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted. For example, if the device in the figures were inverted, other elements or features depicted "below" or "below" would be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary terms "below" and "lower" can encompass both an up-down orientation. The device may be oriented in other ways (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations), and the spatially relative descriptions used herein should be interpreted accordingly. Similarly, when a first portion is described as being "above" a second portion, this means that the first portion is positioned above or below the second portion.

[0036] The term "plan view" means a view of an object portion from above, and the term "in schematic cross section" means a view of an object portion cut vertically to form a schematic cross section. The term "side view" means that a first object is above, below, or to the side of a second object, or vice versa. The terms "overlapping" and "overlaying" may include layer, stack, surface, extension, covering, partially covering, or any other suitable term understood and understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art. The term "not overlapping" may include meanings such as "apart from" or "spaced apart from" and any other suitable equivalents recognized and understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art. The terms "surface" and "surface" mean that a first object faces a second object directly or indirectly. If a third object is present between the first and second objects, the first and second objects may be understood as facing each other but indirectly facing each other.

[0037] When an element, layer, region, or component is referred to as being "formed," "coupled," or "bonded" to another element, it may be directly formed on the layer, region, or component, or may be formed on, coupled to, or bonded to the other component, layer, region, or component indirectly. This also refers generally to direct or indirect bonding or coupling of elements, layers, regions, or components, as well as integral or non-integral bonding or coupling, such that more than one element, layer, region, or component is present. For example, when an element, layer, region, or component is referred to as being "electrically coupled" or "electrically coupled" to another element, layer, region, or component, this refers to being directly electrically coupled or bonded to the other element, layer, region, or component, or the other element, layer, region, or component may be present. However, "directly coupled" or "directly bonded" means that one component is directly coupled or bonded to or on the other component without intermediate components. Furthermore, in this specification, when a portion of a layer, film, region, plate, etc. is formed on another portion, the direction of formation is not limited to the upward direction, but also includes the portion being formed on the side or bottom. Conversely, when a portion of a layer, film, region, plate, etc. is formed "under" another portion, it includes not only the case where the portion is "directly under" the other portion, but also the case where there is another portion between the other portion. Meanwhile, other expressions describing the relationship between components, such as "between," "immediately between," "adjacent to," and "immediately adjacent to," can be interpreted similarly. Furthermore, when an element or layer is referred to as being "between" two elements or layers, this may be the only element between the two elements or layers, or there may be other elements between them.

[0038] For purposes of this specification, phrases such as "at least one or more" or "any one" do not limit the order of individual elements. For example, "at least one of X, Y, and Z," "at least one of X, Y, or Z," or "at least one selected from the group consisting of X, Y, and Z" may include X alone, Y alone, Z alone, or any combination of two or more of X, Y, and Z. Similarly, phrases such as "at least one of A and B" and "at least one of A or B" may include A, B, or A and B. As used herein, "or" generally refers to "and / or," and the term "and / or" includes all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. For example, phrases such as "A and / or B" may include A, B, or A and B.

[0039] Terms such as "first," "second," and "third" may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, and / or sections, but such elements, components, regions, layers, and / or sections are not limited by such terms. Such terms are used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or section from another element, component, region, layer, or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer, or section described below may be referred to as a second element, component, region, layer, or section without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Describing an element as a "first" element does not require or imply the presence of a second element or other elements. Terms such as "first" and "second" may be used herein to distinguish between different categories or sets of elements. For clarity, terms such as "first" and "second" may refer to a "first category (or first set)," a "second category (or second set)," etc., respectively.

[0040] The terms used in this application are merely used to describe particular embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. As used herein, the singular includes the plural, and the plural is intended to include the singular unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The terms "comprise," "comprise," and "have," as used herein, are meant to specify the presence of stated features, integers, and steps. These terms do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0041] When one or more embodiments are implemented differently, the order of certain processes may be performed differently than that described, for example, two steps described as successive may be performed substantially simultaneously or may be performed in the reverse order of that described.

[0042] The terms "substantially," "about," "approximately," and similar terms are used as terms of approximation, rather than as terms of degree, to describe inherent variations in measured or calculated values ​​that can be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art. As used herein, "about" or "approximately" means inclusive of the stated value and within an acceptable range of variation from the specified value (e.g., the range of variation due to the limitations of the measurement system) determined by one of ordinary skill in the art, taking into account the measurement and associated errors. For example, "about" can mean within one or more standard deviations or within ±30%, 20%, 10%, or 5% of the stated value.

[0043] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. Terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted to have a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and / or this specification, and should not be interpreted as idealized or overly formal unless expressly defined herein.

[0044] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the battery pack 10, FIG. 2 shows a rear view of the battery pack 10, FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the battery module 300 and the substrate 400, FIG. 4 shows a plan view of the battery module 300 and the substrate 400, FIG. 5 shows an exploded perspective view of the battery module 300, FIG. 6 shows a plan view of the battery module 300, FIG. 7 shows a first fireproof sheet 360 and a first spacer 370, and FIGS. 8 and 9 show cross sections of the battery pack 10. For example, FIGS. 8 and 9 show cross sections parallel to the YZ plane. For convenience of explanation, the battery module 300 on the left side of FIG. 8 shows a state without battery cells C, and the battery module 300 on the right side shows a state including battery cells C. FIG. 9 shows a cross section of the battery pack 10 in which the arrangement direction of the battery modules 300 is different from that of FIG. 8.

[0045] The battery pack 10 may be applied to large applications such as ESS and electric vehicles, or small and medium-sized applications such as power tools and smartphones. For example, the battery pack 10 may be coupled to another device. For example, the battery pack 10 may supply power to an external device through a first adapter A1. The battery pack 10 may also be physically connected to the external device through a second adapter A2. The external device may be a power tool such as a chain saw, a drill, or a lawnmower.

[0046] The battery pack 10 may be implemented in a form that can be carried or carried by a user. For example, the battery pack 10 may be implemented in the form of a backpack that can be carried by a user. A connecting member such as a string, buckle, or belt may be attached to the battery pack 10 (e.g., the back of the battery pack 10). The user may carry the battery pack 10 by connecting the connecting member to the body, such as the shoulder, waist, or back, and may connect the battery pack 10 to an external device such as a power tool to supply power to the external device. The battery pack 10 may include a handle H that can be carried by a user. Although the handle H is illustrated on the top of the housing 100 in FIG. 1, one or more handles H may be provided on the front surface (e.g., the surface facing the Z-axis direction in FIG. 1), the back surface, side surface, bottom surface, etc. of the housing 100.

[0047] The battery pack 10 includes a housing 100 and a plurality of battery modules 300 contained in the housing 100, and the battery module 300 may include a plurality of battery cells C, a case 310 containing the plurality of battery cells C, a first fireproof sheet 360 on the case 310, and a first spacer 370 on the case 310 to separate the first fireproof sheet 360 from the top surface of the case 310.

[0048] The battery pack 10 may include a housing 100 , a cover 200 , a battery module 300 , and a substrate 400 .

[0049] The housing 100 may hold and / or support other components of the battery pack 10 (e.g., the cover 200, the battery module 300, and the board 400). The housing 100 is located at the rear of the battery pack 10 and is hollow. The battery module 300 is housed inside the housing 100. The housing 100 is hollow and has an open top. The open top of the housing 100 may be covered by the cover 200. However, the shape of the housing 100 is not limited thereto and may vary depending on the shape of the battery pack 10 or the size and capacity of the battery module 300.

[0050] The housing 100 may include a housing protrusion 110. One or more housing protrusions 110 may be formed on a bottom surface (e.g., a surface facing the battery module 300) of the housing 100 and may be connected to the battery module 300. For example, as shown in FIG. 8 , a case protrusion 3111 of a case 310 (e.g., a first case 311) of the battery module 300 may be inserted into the housing protrusion 110 to fix the battery module 300 to the housing 100. For example, the housing protrusion 110 may have a hollow cylindrical shape, into which the case protrusion 3111 may be inserted. The housing protrusion 110 separates the battery module 300 from the battery module 300 (e.g., the first case 311) at the bottom surface of the housing 100 and may smoothly exhaust gas generated in the battery cell C if the battery cell C ignites. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the bottom surface of the housing 100 and the bottom surface of the first case 311 (or the bottom surface of the first film 340) are spaced apart by a distance L4, and gas generated at the lower end (e.g., the lower electrode) of the battery cell C can be smoothly discharged through the distance L4. This prevents the internal pressure of the battery module 300 from becoming excessively high due to gas generated in a fire that breaks out in the battery cell C. Although FIG. 8 shows two housing protrusions 110 corresponding to two battery modules 300, the number of housing protrusions 110 is not limited to two. For example, the housing 100 includes a plurality of housing protrusions 110 corresponding to each battery module 300, and the number of housing protrusions 110 may vary depending on the size, arrangement, shape, etc. of the battery module 300.

[0051] Alternatively, the housing protrusion 110 may not be directly connected to the battery module 300, but may simply separate the battery module 300 from the housing 100. For example, as shown in FIG. 9 , the housing protrusion 110 may include a pin or thin plate shape protruding from the bottom surface of the housing 100. The upper end of the housing protrusion 110 may contact the bottom surface of the case 310 and separate the bottom surface of the case 310 from the bottom surface of the housing 100.

[0052] The housing 100 may include a first partition 120. The first partition 120 may protrude in a height direction (e.g., the Z-axis direction in FIG. 9 ) from a bottom surface of the housing 100 and space adjacent battery modules 300 from each other in a width direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction in FIG. 9 ). For example, as shown in FIG. 9 , the first partition 120 may be formed in the center of the housing 100 in the width direction. The first partition 120 divides the space in which each battery module 300 is accommodated and is spaced from the inner surface of the battery module 300 to smoothly discharge gas generated in the battery cells C.

[0053] The housing 100 may include a second partition 130. The second partition 130 may define an internal space of the housing 100 in which the battery module 300 is included, and may be connected to the cover 200. For example, as shown in FIG. 9 , the battery module 300 may be accommodated in a space defined between the first partition 120 and the second partition 130. The second partition 130 is spaced apart from the outer surface of the battery module 300, allowing gas generated in the battery cells C to be smoothly discharged.

[0054] The cover 200 may be connected to the housing 100. For example, as shown in FIG. 1 , the cover 200 may cover the open top surface of the housing 100 when the battery module 300 and the board 400 are accommodated in the housing 100. The cover 200 may be hollow and have an open bottom surface corresponding to the top surface of the housing 100. The cover 200 is detachable from the housing 100.

[0055] One or more battery modules 300 may be included in the battery pack 10. The battery module 300 includes a plurality of battery cells C and may supply power to an external device via a first adapter A1. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, two battery modules 300 may be included in the battery pack 10. The two battery modules 300 may be spaced apart and not in contact with each other. However, the number of battery modules 300 is not limited to two and may vary depending on the specifications and application of the battery pack 10. The battery cells C included in the battery module 300 may be one or more of a cylindrical shape, a square shape, and a pouch shape. For convenience of explanation, the following description will focus on the case where the battery cells C are cylindrical.

[0056] The battery module 300 may include a case 310, a bus bar 320, a cell tab 330, a first film 340, a second film 350, a first fireproof sheet 360, a first spacer 370, a second fireproof sheet 380, and a second spacer 390.

[0057] The case 310 may hold and support the battery cells C and support the battery module 300 in the housing 100. For example, the case 310 may be hollow and have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The lower portion of the case 310 may face the bottom surface of the housing 100, and the upper and lower portions of the case 310 may be surrounded by a first film 340 and a second film 350, respectively. The upper and lower portions of the case 310 may also be surrounded by a first fireproof sheet 360 and a second fireproof sheet 380, respectively. A substrate 400 may be provided on the case 310.

[0058] The case 310 may be arranged such that the electrodes of the battery cell C face the bottom surface of the housing 100 and the substrate 400. For example, as shown in FIG. 8 , the case 310 may be arranged such that the upper and lower ends of the battery cell C, on which the electrodes are located, face the bottom surface of the substrate 400 and the bottom surface of the housing 100, respectively. Therefore, if the battery cell C ignites, gas generated at the electrodes of the battery cell C can be smoothly discharged through the gap L3 between the substrate 400 and the first film 340 and the gap L4 between the bottom surface of the housing 100 and the second film 350, thereby reducing flame propagation, excessive pressure rise in the battery module 300, and additional damage to the battery module 300 and the battery pack 10.

[0059] Alternatively, the case 310 may be arranged such that the electrodes of the battery cell C face the side surfaces of the housing 100. For example, as shown in FIG. 9 , the case 310 may be arranged such that the upper and lower ends corresponding to the electrodes of the battery cell C face the inner side surfaces of the housing 100. The inner side surface of the case 310 may be spaced apart from the first partition wall 120, and the outer side surface of the case 310 may be spaced apart from the second partition wall 130. Therefore, if the battery cell C ignites, gas generated at the electrodes of the battery cell C may be smoothly discharged through the gaps between the side surface of the case 310 and the first and second partition walls 120 and 130, thereby reducing flame spread and further damage to the battery module 300 and the battery pack 10.

[0060] The case 310 may include a first case 311 and a second case 312 .

[0061] The first case 311 is located at the bottom of the case 310 and is directly connected to or in contact with the bottom surface of the housing 100. For example, the first case 311 may include a plurality of battery cells C therein together with the second case 312. A first film 340 may be attached to the bottom surface of the first case 311 for insulation.

[0062] The first case 311 may include a lower protrusion 3111. For example, as shown in FIG. 8 , one or more lower protrusions 3111 may be formed on the bottom surface of the first case 311 and protrude toward the bottom surface of the housing 100. At least a portion of the lower protrusion 3111 may be inserted into the housing protrusion 110 of the housing 100, or the housing protrusion 110 may be inserted into the lower protrusion 3111, thereby fixing the first case 311 to the housing 100. Alternatively, the lower protrusion 3111 and the housing protrusion 110 may space the first case 311 from the bottom surface of the housing 100 by a distance L4, thereby enabling gas generated at the bottom surface of the battery cell C to be smoothly discharged.

[0063] The second case 312 is located on top of the case 310 and may house a plurality of battery cells C together with the first case 311. The second case 312 is detachable from the first case 311. A second film 350 may be attached to the top surface of the second case 312 for insulation.

[0064] The second case 312 may include a plurality of protrusions. For example, the second case 312 may include a plurality of first upper protrusions 3121 and a plurality of second upper protrusions 3122 on the upper surface thereof. The plurality of protrusions may space the substrate 400 from the upper surface of the second case 312. The second case 312 may also include an insertion hole 3123, a first fastening hole 3124, and a second fastening hole 3125.

[0065] One or more first upper protrusions 3121 may be formed on the second case 312. For example, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, a plurality of first upper protrusions 3121 may be formed on the upper surface of the second case 312. The first upper protrusions 3121 may be inserted into the first sheet holes 361 of the first fire protection sheet 360 via the second film 350. The first upper protrusions 3121 may be inserted into the first sheet holes 361 to fix the second film 350 and the first fire protection sheet 360 on the second case 312. For example, the first upper protrusions 3121 may have a cylindrical shape or an upwardly tapered truncated cone shape. One or more ribs may be formed on the outer periphery of the first upper protrusions 3121, and the first sheet holes 361 may have a shape corresponding to the first upper protrusions 3121, including the ribs. Therefore, the ribs are inserted into the first sheet holes 361 so that the first fireproof sheet 360 can be firmly supported on the second case 312 .

[0066] A plurality of first upper protrusions 3121 may be formed along the long sides of the second case 312. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, three first upper protrusions 3121 may be formed on each long side of the second case 312, for a total of six first upper protrusions 3121 on the second case 312. However, the number of first upper protrusions 3121 is not limited to six and may vary depending on the size and shape of the second case 312, the second film 350, and the first fireproof sheet 360. Some of the plurality of first upper protrusions 3121 may be connected to the substrate 400. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, some of the plurality of first upper protrusions 3121 formed on the inner long side of a pair of long sides of the second case 312 and some of the plurality of first upper protrusions 3121 formed on the outer long side may be inserted into the substrate 400. This may allow the substrate 400 and the second case 312 to be more firmly connected to each other. In addition, the first upper protrusion 3121 may space the board 400 from the first fireproof sheet 360, thereby minimizing heat transferred to the board 400 during operation of the battery module 300 or when a fire occurs.

[0067] One or more second upper protrusions 3122 may be formed on the second case 312. For example, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, a plurality of second upper protrusions 3122 may be formed on the upper surface of the second case 312. The second upper protrusions 3122 may be spaced apart from the first upper protrusions 3121. The second upper protrusions 3122 may be inserted into the substrate 400 via the second film 350 and the first fireproof sheet 360. The second upper protrusions 3122 may fix the second film 350, the first fireproof sheet 360, and the substrate 400 to the second case 312. For example, the second upper protrusions 3122 may have a cylindrical shape. A plurality of second upper protrusions 3122 may be formed in the center of the second case 312. 6, two second upper protrusions 3122 may be formed inward in the width direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction in FIG. 6) of the second case 312 from the first upper protrusion 3121. However, the number of second upper protrusions 3122 is not limited to two and may vary depending on the size and shape of the second case 312, the second film 350, the first fireproof sheet 360, and the substrate 400.

[0068] At least some of the first upper protrusions 3121 and the second upper protrusions 3122 may have their upper portions inserted into the substrate 400 to support the substrate 400 and spaced apart from the upper surface of the first fireproof sheet 360 .

[0069] The insertion holes 3123 are portions in which the battery cells C are accommodated, and may be circular to correspond to the battery cells C. The insertion holes 3123 of the second case 312 are formed to correspond to the insertion holes of the first case 311, and may define a space in which the battery cells C are accommodated together with the insertion holes of the first case 311. The number of the insertion holes 3123 may be the same as the number of the plurality of battery cells C.

[0070] The first fastening hole 3124 and the second fastening hole 3125 may be connected to the bus bar 320. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the first fastening hole 3124 and the second fastening hole 3125 may be connected to the first bus bar 321 and the second bus bar 322, respectively, via a fastening member F. One or more of the first fastening hole 3124 and the second fastening hole 3125 may be formed on the upper surface of the second case 312, and serve as the portion where the bus bar 320 and the cell tab 330 are connected via the fastening member F. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, one first fastening hole 3124 may be formed on each of a pair of long sides of the second case 312, and a plurality of (e.g., three) second fastening holes 3125 may be formed on the long sides of the second case 312. Any one of the first fastening holes 3124 may be connected to the first bus bar 321 , and another one of the first fastening holes 3124 and the remaining plurality of second fastening holes 3125 may be connected to the second bus bar 322 .

[0071] The bus bar 320 may include a conductive material such as metal and may be electrically connected to the cell tab 330. The bus bar 320 may include a first bus bar 321 and a second bus bar 322. The first bus bar 321 and the second bus bar 322 may be electrically connected to different cell tabs 330. The bus bar 320 may be connected to the substrate 400, etc., and may electrically connect the plurality of battery cells C to the substrate 400.

[0072] The cell tabs 330 may electrically connect the plurality of battery cells C. For example, the cell tabs 330 may be formed on the upper and lower parts of the battery module 300 and connected to electrodes of the battery cells C exposed through the bottom and top surfaces of the first and second cases 311 and 312. A plurality of cell tabs 330 may be included in each battery module 300. For example, as shown in FIG. 5 , the cell tabs 330 may include a plurality of first cell tabs 331 on the bottom surface of the first case 311 and a plurality of second cell tabs 332 on the top surface of the second case 312. Each of the first cell tabs 331 may be connected to a lower end of each of the plurality of battery cells C to be electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells C and may be connected to the bus bar 320. Each of the second cell tabs 332 may be connected to an upper end of each of the plurality of battery cells C to be electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells C and may be connected to the bus bar 320.

[0073] The first film 340 and the second film 350 are components for insulating the battery module 300 and may be provided on the bottom and top of the battery module 300, respectively. For example, as shown in FIG. 5 , the first film 340 may be provided under the first case 311, and the second film 350 may be provided on the second case 312. The first film 340 may cover the bottom surface of the first case 311, and the second film 350 may cover the top surface of the second case 312. The first film 340 and the second film 350 may cover the first cell tab 331 and the second cell tab 332, respectively, and may prevent the electrodes of the battery cell C from contacting other components of the battery pack 10, including the battery module 300. For example, the first film 340 and the second film 350 may have a thin, flat plate shape. For example, the first film 340 and the second film 350 may include an insulating tape having an adhesive (e.g., an acrylic adhesive) applied to a surface facing the first case 311 and the second case 312, respectively, and an opposite surface made of an insulating material such as polypropylene, polyester, or polyimide. For example, the first film 340 and the second film 350 are much thinner than other components of the battery module 300 (e.g., the case 310, the bus bar 320, the cell tab 330, the first fireproof sheet 360, the first spacer 370, the second fireproof sheet 380, and the second spacer 390), and their thickness is negligible compared to the thickness of the other components of the battery module 300. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the distance L3 between the upper surface of the second film 350 and the first fireproof sheet 360 is substantially the same as the distance between the upper surface of the second case 312 and the first fireproof sheet 360, and may be used herein to mean substantially the same thing. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the distance L4 between the bottom surface of the first film 340 and the second fireproof sheet 380 is substantially the same as the distance between the bottom surface of the first case 311 and the second fireproof sheet 380, and may be used in this specification to have substantially the same meaning.

[0074] The first fire-resistant sheet 360 is disposed on the upper portion of the battery module 300 and may prevent the spread of a fire that occurs in the battery module 300. In one embodiment, the first fire-resistant sheet 360 may contain a fire-extinguishing agent therein. If a fire occurs in the battery cell C, the first fire-resistant sheet 360 may partially rupture or burst due to heat and pressure, thereby injecting the fire-extinguishing agent into the battery cell C. The first fire-resistant sheet 360 may also include a flame-retardant material and may prevent the fire from spreading to other components of the battery pack 10, such as the substrate 400. In one embodiment, the first fire-resistant sheet 360 may include ceramic paper, mica, or aerogel. The first fire-resistant sheet 360 may be disposed on the second film 350 to cover the upper portion of the battery module 300. The first fire-resistant sheet 360 may surround three sides of the upper portion of the case 310. In one embodiment, the first fireproof sheet 360 may surround the top surface of the case 310 (e.g., the top surface of the second case 312) and two of the multiple side surfaces connected to the top surface (e.g., the two side surfaces corresponding to the long sides of the second case 312).

[0075] The battery pack 10 may include a plurality of first fire-resistant sheets 360. In one embodiment, the number of first fire-resistant sheets 360 may be the same as the number of battery modules 300, and the plurality of first fire-resistant sheets 360 may correspond to each of the plurality of battery modules 300. Therefore, by reducing the size and weight of the first fire-resistant sheets 360 included in each battery module 300, deflection and damage of the first fire-resistant sheets 360 may be prevented. The different first fire-resistant sheets 360 corresponding to each battery module 300 may be connected via second spacers 390.

[0076] The first fireproof sheet 360 may be spaced apart from the case 310 and / or the second film 350. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, one or more first spacers 370 may be formed on the second film 350, and the first spacers 370 may space the upper surface of the second film 350 and the first fireproof sheet 360 by a distance L3. This allows gas generated in the battery cell C to be smoothly discharged. In addition, the separation between the first fireproof sheet 360 and the second film 350 allows the fire-extinguishing agent contained in the first fireproof sheet 360 to be sprayed more smoothly over a wider area.

[0077] The first fireproof sheet 360 may include a first body portion 3601 and a first frame portion 3602. The first body portion 3601 may be supported by the first spacer 370 and may have a larger area than the case 310. The first body portion 3601 may be attached to the upper surface of the second case 312 and may cover the plurality of second cell tabs 332. The first frame portion 3602 may extend downward from an edge of the first body portion 3601. In one embodiment, the first frame portion 3602 may correspond to the long sides of the first body portion 3601. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3 , the first frame portion 3602 may extend downward from a pair of long sides of the first body portion 3601 and surround at least a portion of the upper portion of the case 310. The first frame portion 3602 may prevent flame propagation in a lateral direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction in FIG. 3 ).

[0078] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 , the first frame portion 3602 may not be formed on the short sides of the first body portion 3601. That is, the first frame portion 3602 is formed on a pair of long sides of the first body portion 3601, but not on a pair of short sides. As shown in FIG. 3 , the front and back sides of the battery module 300 or the case 310 in the longitudinal direction of the battery module 300 (e.g., the X-axis direction in FIG. 3 ) may not be covered by the first fireproof sheet 360. That is, the first fireproof sheet 360 may surround three sides of the battery module 300 or the case 310 (e.g., the second case 312). Therefore, the portions of the case 310 corresponding to the short sides may not be covered by the first fireproof sheet 360. Therefore, the first fireproof sheet 360 can prevent the spread of flames generated on the long sides of the battery module 300, while at the same time smoothly discharging a small amount of gas on the short sides of the battery module 300. In addition, the first fireproof sheet 360 can control the flow of gas by discharging the gas generated in the battery module 300 to the short sides of the battery module 300.

[0079] The lower end of the first frame portion 3602 may be located above the center of the case 310 in the height direction or below the upper end of the case 310. In one embodiment, the lower end of the first frame portion 3602 is located above the connecting portion of the first case 311 and the second case 312 and below the upper end of the second case 312. If the first frame portion 3602 extends to the connecting portion of the first case 311 and the second case 312, the area covered by the first frame portion 3602 becomes excessively wide, and in the event of a fire occurring in the battery module 300, the internal pressure of the battery module 300 may become excessively high. If the first frame portion 3602 is located above the upper end of the second case 312, the effect of preventing the spread of a fire occurring at the long side of the battery module 300 may be reduced. The inner surface of the first frame portion 3602 may be spaced apart from the side surface of the case 310.

[0080] The first fireproof sheet 360 may include a first sheet hole 361 , a second sheet hole 362 , and a third sheet hole 363 .

[0081] 7, first sheet hole 361, second sheet hole 362, and third sheet hole 363 are each formed in plurality in first fireproof sheet 360 and serve to connect case 310, bus bar 320, and substrate 400. For example, first sheet hole 361 may be formed in plurality in first fireproof sheet 360 to correspond to first upper protrusion 3121 of second case 312, and second sheet hole 362 may be formed in plurality in first fireproof sheet 360 to correspond to second upper protrusion 3122 of second case 312. Third sheet hole 363 is a portion for fastening bus bar 320 and second case 312, and may be formed in plurality to correspond to first fastening hole 3124, for example, to expose first fastening hole 3124.

[0082] At least one first spacer 370 may be included in the battery module 300 and may separate the first fireproof sheet 360 and the second film 350. A plurality of first spacers 370 may be arranged on the upper surface of the second film 350, with the upper surface of each spacer 370 contacting the bottom surface of the first fireproof sheet 360. The first spacers 370 have a height lower than the first upper protrusions 3121 and the second upper protrusions 3122, and separate the upper surface of the second film 350 from the bottom surface of the first fireproof sheet 360 by a distance L3, thereby enabling gas generated in the battery cell C to be smoothly discharged. In addition, the first fireproof sheet 360 may smoothly spray a chemical solution toward the upper surface of the battery cell C where a fire has occurred. The battery pack 10 includes the first spacer 370, which may separate the first fireproof sheet 360 and the second film 350 by forming a separate injection part in the battery module 300 and the housing 100 or the cover 200, or by not including an additional holder.

[0083] The first spacer 370 does not overlap with other components of the second case 312. For example, as shown in FIG. 6 , the first spacer 370 does not overlap with the first upper protrusion 3121, the second upper protrusion 3122, the insertion hole 3123, the first fastening hole 3124, and the second fastening hole 3125. In particular, the first spacer 370 does not overlap with the insertion hole 3123 into which the battery cell C is inserted so as to prevent damage due to gas and heat generated in the battery cell C. The first spacer 370 may be formed on the second film 350 adjacent to the edge of the battery module 300 but spaced inward from the edge. Therefore, the edge and center of the first fireproof sheet 360 supported by the first spacer 370 do not sag.

[0084] A plurality of first spacers 370 may be included in each battery module 300. The plurality of first spacers 370 may be arranged along the edge of the case 310. The plurality of first spacers 370 may be adjacent to the edge of the case 310 but spaced inward from the edge. For example, the plurality of first spacers 370 may be adjacent to the long and short sides of the second case 312 but spaced apart from the long and short sides. For example, as shown in FIG. 6 , one battery module 300 may include five first spacers 370. However, the number of first spacers 370 is not limited to five and may vary depending on the shape, size, weight, etc. of the first fireproof sheet 360. The first spacers 370 may include a flame-retardant material. In one embodiment, the first spacers 370 may be formed by laminating multiple layers of a flame-retardant material, for example, by laminating multiple pieces of poron tape.

[0085] The second fireproof sheet 380 is located below the battery module 300 and may prevent the spread of a fire that occurs in the battery module 300. In one embodiment, the second fireproof sheet 380 may contain a fire-extinguishing agent therein. If a fire occurs in a battery cell C, the second fireproof sheet 380 may partially rupture or burst due to heat and pressure, thereby injecting the fire-extinguishing agent into the battery cell C. The second fireproof sheet 380 may include a flame-retardant material and may prevent the fire from spreading to other components of the battery pack 10, such as the substrate 400. In one embodiment, the second fireproof sheet 380 may include ceramic paper, mica, or aerogel. The second fireproof sheet 380 may be provided under the first film 340 to cover the lower part of the battery module 300. The battery pack 10 may include one second fireproof sheet 380. In one embodiment, the second fireproof sheet 380 may be provided on the bottom surface of the housing 100 to cover the entire bottom surface of the plurality of battery modules 300. The second fireproof sheet 380 may surround three sides of the lower portion of the case 310. In one embodiment, the second fireproof sheet 380 may surround the bottom of the case 310 (e.g., the bottom of the first case 311) and two of the side surfaces connected to the bottom (e.g., two side surfaces corresponding to the long sides of the first case 311).

[0086] The second fireproof sheet 380 may be spaced apart from the case 310 and / or the first film 340. For example, as shown in Fig. 8, the case protrusion 3111 of the first case 311 may be inserted into the housing protrusion 110 of the housing 100, or the housing protrusion 110 may be inserted into the case protrusion 3111, and the first film 340 and the second fireproof sheet 380 may be spaced apart by a distance L4. This allows gas generated in the battery cell C to be smoothly discharged. In addition, since the second fireproof sheet 380 and the first film 340 are spaced apart, the fire-extinguishing agent contained in the second fireproof sheet 380 may be sprayed more smoothly over a wider area.

[0087] The second fireproof sheet 380 may include a second body portion 3801 and a second frame portion 3802. The second body portion 3801 may be attached to the bottom surface of the first case 311 and may have a larger area than the case 310. For example, the second body portion 3801 may cover a plurality of first cell tabs 331. The second frame portion 3802 may extend upward from an edge of the second body portion 3801. For example, the second frame portion 3802 may correspond to the long sides of the second body portion 3801. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3 , the second frame portion 3802 may extend upward from a pair of long sides of the second body portion 3801 and surround at least a portion of the lower part of the case 310. The second frame portion 3802 may prevent flames from propagating laterally (e.g., in the Y-axis direction in FIG. 3 ).

[0088] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 , the second frame portion 3802 may not be formed on the short sides of the second body portion 3801. That is, the second frame portion 3802 is formed on a pair of long sides of the second body portion 3801, but not on a pair of short sides. As shown in FIG. 3 , the front and back sides of the battery module 300 or the case 310 in the longitudinal direction of the battery module 300 (e.g., the X-axis direction in FIG. 3 ) may not be covered by the second fireproof sheet 380. That is, the second fireproof sheet 380 may surround three sides of the battery module 300 or the case 310 (e.g., the first case 311). Therefore, the portions of the case 310 corresponding to the short sides are not covered by the second fireproof sheet 380. Therefore, the second fireproof sheet 380 can prevent the spread of flames generated on the long sides of the battery module 300, while at the same time smoothly discharging a small amount of gas from the short sides of the battery module 300. In addition, the second fireproof sheet 380 can control the flow of gas by discharging gas generated in the battery module 300 from the short sides of the battery module 300.

[0089] The lower end of the second frame part 3802 is located below the center of the case 310 in the height direction and above the lower end of the case 310. For example, the lower end of the second frame part 3802 is located below the connecting portion of the first case 311 and the second case 312 and above the lower end of the first case 311. If the second frame part 3802 extends to the connecting portion of the first case 311 and the second case 312, the area covered by the second frame part 3802 becomes excessively wide, and in the event of a fire occurring in the battery module 300, the internal pressure of the battery module 300 may become excessively high. If the second frame part 3802 is located below the lower end of the first case 311, the effect of preventing the spread of a fire occurring at the long side of the battery module 300 may be reduced. The inner surface of the second frame part 3802 may be separated from the side surface of the case 310.

[0090] The second spacer 390 may connect and separate the first fireproof sheets 360 included in different battery modules 300 from each other. For example, as shown in FIG. 7 , the second spacer 390 may be located between the long sides (e.g., first frame portions 3602) of the first fireproof sheets 360 included in the different battery modules 300 to connect the first fireproof sheets 360 to each other. The second spacer 390 has both ends in the longitudinal direction (e.g., the X-axis direction in FIG. 7 ) that are located inside the both ends of the first fireproof sheets 360. The second spacer 390 may have a width L1 (e.g., the length in the Y-axis direction in FIG. 7 ) and a length L2 (e.g., the length in the X-axis direction in FIG. 7 ). The width L1 may correspond to the spacing between the first fireproof sheets 360. The length L2 may be shorter than the length of the first fireproof sheets 360. For example, the second spacer 390 may include a flame-retardant material. For example, the second spacer 390 can include the same material as the first film 340 and / or the second film 350 .

[0091] The substrate 400 is electrically connected to the battery module 300 and may detect the current state of the battery module 300, such as the voltage and temperature, and control the battery module 300. For example, the substrate 400 may include a BMS (Battery Monitoring System). The substrate 400 may be connected to a plurality of battery cells C via a bus bar 320. The substrate 400 may detect the voltage and temperature of the plurality of battery cells C, control the battery module 300, and prevent overvoltage, overcurrent, over-discharge, etc. of the battery module 300. The substrate 400 may include a plurality of circuits and components. The substrate 400 may also be a PCB.

[0092] The substrate 400 may be disposed on the battery module 300. For example, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the substrate 400 may be disposed on the first fireproof sheet 360. The substrate 400 may not be in contact with the first fireproof sheet 360 and may be spaced upward in a height direction (e.g., the Z-axis direction in FIG. 3) by the first fireproof sheet 360. This may prevent heat generated in the battery module 300 from being directly transferred to the substrate 400. The substrate 400 may be supported by the case 310. For example, the substrate 400 may be supported by a first upper protrusion 3121 and a second upper protrusion 3122 of the second case 312. The first upper protrusion 3121 and the second upper protrusion 3122 may space the substrate 400 upward from the first fireproof sheet 360 when inserted into the substrate 400.

[0093] Although the present invention has been described based on the illustrated embodiments, these are merely examples. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and equivalent embodiments are possible from the embodiments. Therefore, the true technical scope of protection of the present invention should be determined based on the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0094] 10 Battery pack 100 Housing 110 Housing protrusion 120 1st bulkhead 130 Second bulkhead 200 covers 300 Battery Module 310 cases 311 Case 1 312 Case 2 3111 Case protrusion 3121 1st upper projection 3122 2nd upper protrusion 3123 Insertion Hole 3124 1st Closing Hole 3125 2nd Closing Hole 320 Busbar 321 No. 1 bus bar 322 Second bus bar 330 Cell Tab 331 1st cell tab 332 Second Cell Tab 340 First Film 350 2nd Film 360 No. 1 Fire Sheet 361 1st Seat Hall 362 2nd seat hall 363 3rd seat hall 3601 First Body Section 3602 First frame section 370 First spacer 380 Second Fire Sheet 3801 Second Body Section 3802 Second frame section 390 Second spacer 400 boards A1 First adapter C Battery Cell L3 interval L4 interval

Claims

1. Housing and a plurality of battery modules contained in the housing; The battery module includes: a plurality of battery cells; a case containing the plurality of battery cells; a first fireproof sheet on the case; a first spacer located on the case and separating the first fire-protecting sheet from an upper surface of the case.

2. The first fireproof sheet includes a plurality of first fireproof sheets, The battery pack of claim 1 , wherein the battery module further comprises a second spacer connecting the plurality of first fireproof sheets, and the plurality of first fireproof sheets are spaced apart from each other.

3. The battery pack according to claim 2 , wherein the plurality of first fireproof sheets respectively correspond to the plurality of battery modules.

4. The battery pack according to claim 2 , wherein the second spacer includes a flame-retardant material, and both ends in the longitudinal direction are located inside both ends of the first fire-resistant sheet.

5. the first spacer includes a plurality of first spacers, The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of first spacers are arranged along an edge of the case.

6. The battery pack of claim 5 , wherein the plurality of first spacers are adjacent to an edge of the case but spaced inwardly from the edge.

7. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the first spacer includes a flame-retardant material laminated in multiple layers, and an upper surface of the first spacer contacts the bottom surface of the first fire-resistant sheet.

8. The case is The first case and a second case coupled onto the first case and containing the plurality of battery cells together with the first case; the second case includes a protrusion on an upper surface; the protrusion supports the first fireproof sheet; The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the first spacer is formed at a position not overlapping with the protrusion.

9. the battery pack further includes a substrate disposed on the battery module and electrically connected to the battery module; The battery pack according to claim 8 , wherein the protrusion separates the substrate from the upper surface of the second case.

10. The protrusion is a plurality of first upper protrusions formed on an upper surface of the second case; a plurality of second upper protrusions formed on the upper surface of the second case and spaced apart from the plurality of first upper protrusions, 10. The battery pack of claim 9, wherein upper portions of at least some of the plurality of first upper protrusions and the plurality of second upper protrusions are inserted into the substrate to support the substrate and space it from an upper surface of the first fireproof sheet.

11. The battery module includes: a first film covering a bottom surface of the first case; a second film covering an upper surface of the second case, The battery pack according to claim 8 , wherein a plurality of the first spacers are arranged on the first film.

12. The battery pack of claim 11 , wherein the second film is spaced apart from a bottom surface of the housing.

13. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the first fireproof sheet includes a flame-retardant material or a fire-extinguishing agent therein, and surrounds three sides of the upper portion of the case.

14. The first fireproof sheet is a first body portion covering an upper surface of the case; two first frame portions extending downward from the two long side portions of the first body portion, The battery pack according to claim 13 , wherein a portion of the case corresponding to a short side is not covered by the first fireproof sheet.

15. The battery pack according to claim 14 , wherein a lower end of the first frame portion is located above a center of the case in a height direction and below an upper end of the case.

16. the case includes a case protrusion protruding downward from a bottom surface thereof, The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the housing has a bottom surface spaced apart from a bottom surface of the case by the case protrusion.

17. the housing includes a housing protrusion on a bottom surface; The battery pack of claim 16 , wherein the housing protrusion is inserted into the case protrusion, or the case protrusion is inserted into the housing protrusion.

18. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the battery module further comprises a second fireproof sheet on a bottom surface of the housing, the second fireproof sheet covering the entire bottom surface of the plurality of battery modules.

19. The battery pack according to claim 18 , wherein the second fire protection sheet includes a flame retardant material or a fire extinguishing agent therein, and surrounds three sides of the lower part of the case.

20. The second fireproof sheet is a second body portion covering the bottom surface of the case; two second frame portions extending upward from the two long side portions of the second body portion, The battery pack according to claim 19 , wherein a portion of the case corresponding to a short side is not covered by the second fireproof sheet.

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