Battery pack, and energy storage system (ESS) and vehicle comprising the same

Abstract

To provide a battery pack and an energy storage system (ESS) and vehicle that include the same.SOLUTION: A battery pack according to an embodiment includes: a module assembly including a plurality of battery modules each including, on one side, a module opening through which venting gas is discharged; a pack cover facing the module opening and configured to cover the one side of the module assembly; and an oxygen introduction preventing member located in a space formed between the module assembly and the pack cover and configured to prevent oxygen from being reversely introduced after venting gas is discharged in an extension direction of the space.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack, an energy storage system (ESS) including the battery pack, and a vehicle.

[0002] This application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0188647, filed on December 27, 2021, and the entire contents disclosed in the specification and drawings of that application are incorporated herein by reference. [Background technology]

[0003] Battery packs applied to devices such as energy storage systems (ESS) and electric vehicles may be manufactured in the form of a plurality of battery modules equipped with lithium secondary batteries capable of realizing high output and large capacity. In order to satisfy the output characteristics and achieve high capacity of battery packs applied to devices requiring high output and large capacity such as energy storage systems and electric vehicles, the number of lithium secondary batteries included in one battery module may be increased, and the number of battery modules included in one battery pack may be increased.

[0004] However, in the case of a battery pack containing such a large number of lithium secondary batteries, if a fire or explosion occurs, the damage will inevitably be greater.

[0005] Fires in battery packs start when the lithium secondary battery inside the battery module experiences an abnormal temperature rise and generates internal gas. When the temperature of the lithium secondary battery rises abnormally and the internal gas is generated, causing the internal pressure of the lithium secondary battery to rise above a certain level, venting occurs in the lithium secondary battery, which causes high-temperature gas to escape from the lithium secondary battery, along with high-temperature sparks containing electrode active material and aluminum particles. When these high-temperature gases or sparks come into contact with oxygen, a fire can occur.

[0006] In particular, situations in which high-temperature vent gas or high-temperature sparks generated by a thermal event come into contact with a large amount of oxygen are likely to occur immediately after vent gas generated inside the battery pack is rapidly released to the outside at high pressure. That is, if the pressure inside the battery pack momentarily increases significantly due to venting of the secondary battery caused by a thermal event, and the vent gas is rapidly released to the outside, the internal pressure drops significantly in a short period of time, which may create a negative pressure from the outside to the inside, resulting in a large amount of oxygen flowing into the battery pack. At this time, there is a risk of a fire occurring when the high-temperature vent gas, sparks, and large amounts of oxygen remaining inside the battery pack come into contact.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need to develop a battery pack structure that can discharge vent gas generated during a thermal event at an appropriate speed despite the high initial vent pressure, preventing the generation of negative pressure due to a sudden drop in vent pressure. There is also a need to develop a battery pack structure that can minimize the amount of oxygen entering the battery pack even if negative pressure occurs due to a drop in vent pressure. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack that is configured to discharge vent gas generated during a thermal event at an appropriate rate, thereby minimizing the occurrence of negative pressure due to a sudden drop in vent pressure.

[0009] In another aspect, an object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack configured to minimize the amount of oxygen flowing into the battery pack even if negative pressure occurs due to a decrease in vent pressure.

[0010] 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 detailed description of the invention described below. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] To solve the above problems, a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a module assembly including a plurality of battery modules each having a module opening configured to allow vent gas to be discharged on one side; a pack cover configured to face the module opening and cover one side of the module assembly; and an oxygen inflow prevention member disposed in a space formed between the module assembly and the pack cover and configured to prevent oxygen from flowing back after vent gas has been discharged along the extension direction of the space.

[0012] The battery pack may include a pack opening provided at least on one of both ends in an extension direction of the space.

[0013] A plurality of the oxygen inflow prevention members may be provided, and the plurality of oxygen inflow prevention members may be arranged spaced apart from each other along the extension direction of the space.

[0014] The oxygen inflow prevention member may be disposed between the pair of adjacent battery modules in the space.

[0015] The space may include a plurality of compartment spaces separated by the oxygen inflow prevention member, and the oxygen inflow prevention member may have an openable / closable structure so as to allow or block the flow of fluid between adjacent compartment spaces.

[0016] The oxygen inflow prevention member may be configured to open when the pressure of the fluid flowing along the extension direction of the space is equal to or greater than a reference pressure.

[0017] The oxygen inflow prevention member may be a rotatable door.

[0018] The oxygen inflow prevention member may be a valve having a partially cut structure that can be opened and closed.

[0019] The oxygen inflow prevention member may be configured to be openable in only one direction.

[0020] In the plurality of battery modules, the module openings may include a first module opening provided on one side of each of the battery modules and a second module opening provided on the other side of each of the battery modules.

[0021] The pack covers may include a first pack cover provided on one side of the module assembly and a second pack cover provided on the other side of each of the battery modules.

[0022] The battery pack may include a first pack opening formed at one of both end portions in the extension direction of a space formed between the first pack cover and the module assembly, and a second pack opening formed at the other end portion opposite the one end portion in the extension direction of a space formed between the second pack cover and the module assembly.

[0023] The oxygen inflow prevention member may include a first oxygen inflow prevention member disposed in a first space formed between the first pack cover and the module assembly, and a second oxygen inflow prevention member disposed in a second space formed between the second pack cover and the module assembly.

[0024] An energy storage system (ESS) according to an embodiment of the present invention for solving the above problems may include the battery pack of the present invention.

[0025] A vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention for solving the above problem may include the battery pack of the present invention. [Effects of the Invention]

[0026] According to one aspect of the present invention, by supplying vent gas generated during a thermal event at an appropriate rate, negative pressure caused by a sudden drop in vent pressure can be minimized.

[0027] According to one aspect of the present invention, when vent gas generated during a thermal event is discharged, the vent gas can be discharged at an appropriate rate, thereby minimizing the generation of negative pressure due to a sudden drop in vent pressure.

[0028] According to another aspect of the present invention, since the vent pressure is reduced, even if negative pressure occurs, the amount of oxygen entering the battery pack can be minimized, thereby preventing the occurrence of a fire.

[0029] According to another aspect of the present invention, even if negative pressure occurs due to a decrease in vent pressure, the amount of oxygen flowing into the battery pack can be minimized, thereby preventing the occurrence of a fire.

[0030] However, the advantageous effects obtained from the present invention are not limited to the effects described above, and other advantageous effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the detailed description of the invention described below.

[0031] The drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the present invention to be described later, serve to further understand the technical concepts of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to the matters described in the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0032] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the appearance of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an oxygen inflow prevention member arranged between the pack cover and the module assembly of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram showing a battery module of the present invention; [Figure 4] 3A and 3B are views showing a module opening provided in the battery module of the present invention. [Figure 5] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating the arrangement of the oxygen inflow prevention member of the present invention and the operation of the oxygen inflow prevention member due to the flow of vent gas. [Figure 6] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing exemplary configurations of an oxygen inflow prevention member of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing exemplary configurations of an oxygen inflow prevention member of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 shows a battery module with module openings on one side and the other. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 shows a battery pack with pack openings on one side and the other side. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the flow of a cooling fluid in the battery pack shown in FIG. 9. [Figure 11]10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an opening operation of the oxygen inflow prevention member due to the flow of cooling fluid in the battery pack shown in FIG. 9. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 illustrates an energy storage system (ESS) according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] 1 illustrates a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Prior to this, the terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be construed as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be construed as having meanings and concepts corresponding to the technical ideas of the present invention, based on the principle that the inventor himself can appropriately define the concepts of terms in order to best explain the invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiments of the present invention, and do not represent the entire technical ideas of the present invention, and therefore, various equivalents and modifications that can be substituted therefor may exist at the time of filing this application.

[0034] 1 and 2, a battery pack 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a module assembly M, a pack cover 20, and an oxygen inflow prevention member 30. The module assembly M may include a plurality of battery modules 10 having a module opening P configured to allow vent gas to be discharged on one side. The pack cover 20 may be configured to face the module opening P and cover one side of the module assembly M. The oxygen inflow prevention member 30 may be disposed in a space S formed between the module assembly M and the pack cover 20. The oxygen inflow prevention member 30 may be configured to prevent oxygen from flowing back after vent gas is discharged along the extension direction of the space (a direction parallel to the X-axis).

[0035] When the battery pack 1 of the present invention is configured as described above, it is possible to delay the flow of vent gas discharged from the battery module 10 in response to a thermal event within the space S along the extension direction of the space S. By appropriately delaying the discharge flow of the vent gas in this manner, it is possible to minimize or prevent the occurrence of negative pressure caused by a significant decrease in pressure in the latter half of the discharge of the vent gas compared to the initial pressure of the discharge of the vent gas.

[0036] When a vent occurs inside the battery module 10 due to a thermal event, high-temperature spark material (e.g., electrode active material, aluminum metal particles, etc.) may be discharged along with high-temperature vent gas. When the high-temperature vent gas and high-temperature spark material come into contact with oxygen, fire may occur. The battery pack 1 of the present invention prevents an explosion due to an abnormal increase in the internal pressure of the battery pack 1 caused by the discharge of vent gas, and also prevents a sudden change in the discharge pressure of the vent gas, thereby preventing a large negative pressure from being generated in the direction from the outside to the inside of the battery pack 1 and causing a large amount of oxygen to flow in. Therefore, by preventing a fire caused by contact between flammable material and oxygen, the safety of the use of secondary batteries can be significantly improved.

[0037] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a battery module 10 according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 3, the battery module 10 may include a cell assembly including a plurality of battery cells 100, a module housing 200 configured to accommodate the cell assembly, and a cover frame 300 configured to cover one open side of the module housing 200. The battery cell 100 may include an electrode lead 110 connected to an electrode assembly (not shown) accommodated therein and extending to the outside of the cell case. The battery cell 100 may be, for example, a pouch-type battery cell. The module housing 200 may have a shape with at least one side open. The electrode lead 110 may extend toward an opening of the module housing 200. The cover frame 300 may include a lead slit configured to allow the electrode lead 110 to pass through. A bus bar may be disposed on the cover frame 300, and each of the plurality of electrode leads 110 may be coupled to the bus bar through the lead slit.

[0038] When the battery module 10 of the present invention has such a structure, a module opening P, which is a gap through which vent gas generated inside the battery module 10 can be discharged, may be formed between the lead slit and the electrode lead 110. Such a module opening P may function as a passage through which a cooling fluid (e.g., air) can flow in when the battery pack 1 is in normal use, and may also function as a passage for discharging vent gas when vent gas is generated due to a thermal event.

[0039] 1 to 3, the battery modules 10 may be arranged such that the module openings P formed in each of them face the same direction. In the module assembly M, the module openings P may be formed on a surface (XZ plane) facing the pack cover 20 of the present invention.

[0040] 1 and 2, the pack cover 20 may be configured to cover one side of the module assembly M. The pack cover 20 may be coupled to the module assembly M. The pack cover 20 may face a module opening P of the battery module 10. The pack cover 20 may be disposed at a predetermined distance from the module assembly M so as to form a space S for the flow of vent gas discharged from the module opening P of the battery module 10. The pack cover 20 may extend along the arrangement direction of the plurality of battery modules 10 (a direction parallel to the X-axis).

[0041] The battery pack 1 of the present invention includes the pack cover 20 as described above, thereby blocking vent gas and sparks that may be discharged from each of the plurality of battery modules 10. In addition, when vent gas is discharged from at least some of the plurality of battery modules 10 included in the module assembly M, the pack cover can guide the flow of the vent gas so that the vent gas is discharged in a desired direction.

[0042] 2 and 4, the oxygen inflow prevention member 30 may be configured to allow the flow of cooling fluid and vent gas, but to block the inflow of oxygen due to negative pressure. The oxygen inflow prevention member 30 will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0043] 1 and 2, the battery pack 1 may include a pack opening A (see FIG. 1). The pack opening A may be provided at at least one of both ends in the extension direction (direction parallel to the X-axis) of a space S formed between the module assembly M and the pack cover 20. With this structure, the battery pack 1 can discharge vent gas flowing along the extension direction of the space S to the outside through the module opening P. This prevents the internal pressure of the battery pack 1 from increasing due to the generation of vent gas, which could cause the battery pack 1 to explode.

[0044] 2 and 4, a plurality of the oxygen inflow prevention members 30 may be provided. The plurality of oxygen inflow prevention members 30 may be spaced apart from each other along the extension direction of the space S. The oxygen inflow prevention member 30 may be disposed between a pair of adjacent battery modules 10 in the space S. Such an arrangement of the oxygen inflow prevention member 30 can easily prevent vent gas from flowing into the adjacent battery module 10 when vent gas is discharged from one of the adjacent battery modules 10. In addition, from another aspect, such an arrangement of the oxygen inflow prevention member 30 does not hinder the smooth discharge of vent gas through the module opening P. In particular, when a plurality of the oxygen inflow prevention members 30 are provided and each of the plurality of oxygen inflow prevention members 30 is disposed at a position corresponding to the space between a pair of adjacent battery modules 10 in the space S, the smooth discharge of vent gas through the module opening P can be maintained and a sudden discharge of vent gas along the extension direction of the space S can be effectively prevented.

[0045] 4 and 5, the space S formed between the pack cover 20 and the module assembly M may include a plurality of compartment spaces separated by oxygen inflow prevention members 30. In this case, the oxygen inflow prevention members 30 may have an openable / closable structure to allow or block the flow of fluid between adjacent compartment spaces.

[0046] For example, the oxygen inflow prevention member 30 may be configured to open when the pressure of the fluid flowing in the extension direction of the space S is equal to or greater than a reference value. The oxygen inflow prevention member 30 may be configured to open in response to the circulation pressure of the cooling fluid. The oxygen inflow prevention member 30 may be configured to open in response to the discharge pressure of the vent gas at the beginning of venting due to a thermal event, but not to open in response to the vent pressure that has decreased after a certain time has passed since the venting occurred. In other words, the reference pressure at which the oxygen inflow prevention member 30 can open may be lower than the circulation pressure of the cooling fluid (first pressure) and the discharge pressure of the vent gas at the beginning of venting (second pressure), but higher than the discharge pressure of the vent gas after a certain time has passed since the venting occurred (third pressure).

[0047] Setting the reference pressure for opening the oxygen inflow prevention member 30 in this manner can prevent oxygen inflow due to a sudden discharge of vent gas while maintaining smooth cooling. In terms of cooling, a device for cooling the battery pack 1 (e.g., a fan for circulating cooling air) can be driven in consideration of the reference pressure to generate sufficient cooling fluid circulation pressure. Therefore, smooth cooling is possible despite the use of the oxygen inflow prevention member 30. Meanwhile, when vent gas is discharged from a secondary battery due to a thermal event, the vent gas is initially discharged at very high pressure, but the discharge pressure decreases as the amount of internal gas decreases. Therefore, adjusting the reference pressure at which the oxygen inflow prevention member 30 can be opened can reduce the internal pressure by appropriately discharging the vent gas, while also preventing oxygen inflow due to negative pressure caused by a sudden drop in pressure.

[0048] 6 and 7 show exemplary configurations of the oxygen inflow prevention member 30 of the present invention.

[0049] 5 and 6, the oxygen inflow prevention member 30 may be a rotatable door. The oxygen inflow prevention member 30 may be coupled to, for example, one side edge of the battery module 10. The door may be hinged to the battery module 10.

[0050] Meanwhile, although not shown in the figure, the door may be configured to receive an elastic restoring force that restores the closed state when it is positioned to partition the space S, i.e., when it transitions from a closed state to an open state. For example, the hinge applied to the rotation of the oxygen inflow prevention member may be a spring hinge. In this case, the discharge of vent gas can be appropriately adjusted by adjusting the modulus of elasticity (elastic coefficient) of the spring applied to the spring hinge. If the modulus of elasticity of the spring is too large, it becomes difficult to discharge vent gas. Conversely, if the modulus of elasticity of the spring is too small, it becomes impossible to prevent the sudden discharge of vent gas, making it difficult to prevent the backflow of oxygen due to the generation of negative pressure.

[0051] 7 together with FIG. 5, the oxygen inflow prevention member 30 may be a valve having a partially cut structure that can be opened and closed. The oxygen inflow prevention member 30 may be coupled to, for example, one side edge of the battery module 10. The opening pressure of the valve having the partially cut structure may be determined depending on the area of ​​the cut portion relative to the total area, the thickness of the part used as the valve, the material properties applied to the part used as the valve, etc. If the valve includes an elastic material such as resin, the valve may be opened by a vent pressure greater than or equal to a reference pressure, and as the discharge pressure of the vent gas decreases as the discharge of the vent gas progresses, the valve may gradually close due to elastic restoring force.

[0052] As described above, the oxygen inflow prevention member 30 of the present invention may be provided in the form of an openable / closable door and / or valve. The oxygen inflow prevention member 30 may be configured to have elastic restoring force, so that the degree of opening of the oxygen inflow prevention member 30 may be proportional to the magnitude of the applied pressure. Thus, the battery pack 1 of the present invention may be configured to perform smooth cooling by applying a cooling fluid circulating pressure that can fully open the oxygen inflow prevention member 30. In addition, the battery pack 1 of the present invention may fully open the oxygen inflow prevention member 30 with strong pressure at the initial stage of vent gas discharge to quickly reduce the internal pressure, and gradually close as the gas discharge pressure decreases to block the inflow of oxygen from the outside.

[0053] Meanwhile, the oxygen inflow prevention member 30 may be configured to be openable only in one direction. For example, the oxygen inflow prevention member 30 may be a one-way door or a one-way valve. In this case, the oxygen inflow prevention member 30 is configured to be openable only in the discharge direction of the vent gas and not in the reverse direction. Therefore, even if the discharge pressure of the vent gas decreases, the oxygen inflow prevention member 30 is simply closed and cannot be opened in the reverse direction. Therefore, backflow of oxygen due to a decrease in the discharge pressure of the vent gas is impossible.

[0054] Referring to Figures 8 and 9, in multiple battery modules 10, the module openings P may include a first module opening P1 provided on one side of each battery module 10 and a second module opening P2 provided on the other side of each battery module 10.

[0055] The pack cover 20 may include a first pack cover 20A provided on one side of the module assembly M and a second pack cover 20B provided on the other side of each battery module 10. In this case, the vent gas discharged through one of the battery modules 10 and the vent gas discharged through the other battery module 10 may each be guided to flow along the arrangement direction of the plurality of battery modules 10 (a direction parallel to the X-axis).

[0056] The battery pack 1 of the present invention may include a first pack opening A1 and a second pack opening A2. The first pack opening A1 may be formed at one of both ends in the extension direction (direction parallel to the X-axis) of a first space S1 formed between a first pack cover 20A and a module assembly M. The second pack opening A2 may be formed at the other end opposite to the one end of both ends in the extension direction of a second space S2 formed between a second pack cover 20B and a module assembly M.

[0057] 8 and 9, when the battery pack 1 of the present invention is configured in this manner, one of the first pack opening A1 and the second pack opening A2 can be used as an inlet for the cooling fluid, and the other can be used as an outlet for the cooling fluid. Also, the cooling fluid can pass directly through the interior of the plurality of battery modules 10, allowing for effective cooling (see the movement path of the cooling fluid along the arrow direction in FIG. 10).

[0058] Meanwhile, referring to Figure 11 together with Figures 8 to 10, the oxygen inflow prevention member 30 of the present invention can be provided in a first space S1 formed between one side of the module assembly M and the first pack cover 20A, and in a second space S2 formed between the other side of the module assembly M and the second pack cover 20B.

[0059] In the battery pack 1 of the present invention, when the first pack opening A1 is used as an inlet for the inflow of cooling fluid and the second pack opening A2 is used as an outlet for the discharge of cooling fluid, the oxygen inflow prevention member 30 provided in the first space S1 may be configured to open in a direction toward the second pack opening A2 in accordance with the flow of cooling fluid. As described above, the oxygen inflow prevention member 30 may be configured to open when the fluid pressure is equal to or higher than a reference pressure. Therefore, when cooling fluid is circulated at a pressure equal to or higher than the reference pressure, the oxygen inflow prevention member 30 is opened, thereby enabling smooth cooling of the battery pack 1.

[0060] In the battery pack 1 of the present invention, when vent gas is discharged from the battery module 10 due to the occurrence of a thermal event, the vent gas discharged through the first module opening P1 can open the oxygen inflow prevention member 30 disposed in the first space S1 in a direction toward the first pack opening A1. As a result, the vent gas can be discharged to the outside of the battery pack 1 through the first pack opening A1. Meanwhile, the vent gas discharged through the second module opening P2 can open the oxygen inflow prevention member 30 disposed in the second space S2 in a direction toward the second pack opening A2. As a result, the vent gas can be discharged through the second pack opening A2. As time passes after the discharge of the vent gas begins, the vent pressure decreases, and accordingly, the oxygen inflow prevention member 30 gradually closes, thereby preventing backflow of oxygen.

[0061] When the oxygen inflow prevention member 30 is configured to be openable in both directions, both the first pack opening A1 used as the inlet for the cooling fluid and the second pack opening A2 used as the outlet may function as openings for discharging the vent gas. That is, the discharging direction of the cooling fluid and the discharging direction of the vent gas may not coincide with each other.

[0062] On the other hand, if the oxygen inflow prevention member 30 is configured to be openable in only one direction, the cooling fluid discharge direction and the vent gas discharge direction will coincide. As described above, when the first pack opening A1 functions as the cooling fluid inlet and the second pack opening A2 functions as the cooling fluid outlet, the oxygen inflow prevention member 30 disposed in the first space S1 may be configured to open only in the direction away from the first pack opening A1, and the oxygen inflow prevention member 30 disposed in the second space S2 may be configured to open only in the direction toward the second pack opening A2. In this case, the vent gas from the battery module 10 may be discharged through the second module opening P2. The vent gas that flows into the second space S2 through the second module opening P2 may be discharged to the outside of the battery pack 1 through the second pack opening A2. At the initial stage of venting, the oxygen inflow prevention member 30 disposed in the second space S2 may open toward the second pack opening A2 due to strong vent pressure, thereby discharging the vent gas. As time passes after the start of venting, the vent pressure decreases, and the oxygen inflow prevention member 30 in the second space S2 gradually closes, thereby blocking the backflow of oxygen from the second pack opening A2. At this time, the oxygen inflow prevention member 30 located in the first space S1 can maintain a closed state.

[0063] 12 , an energy storage system (ESS) 3 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a battery pack 1 according to the present invention. The ESS 3 may include, for example, a battery system including a plurality of battery packs 1 and a rack housing 2 configured so that the plurality of battery packs 1 can be stacked therein. The ESS 3 may include one or more such battery systems.

[0064] 13, an automobile 5 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a battery pack 1 according to the present invention. The automobile 5 may be configured to be powered and driven by one or more battery packs 1. The automobile 5 may be, for example, an electric vehicle (EV) or a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV).

[0065] Although the present invention has been described above using limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited to these, and it goes without saying that various modifications and variations can be made by a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains within the technical spirit of the present invention and the scope of equivalents of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 1 battery pack 2 Rack Housing 3. Energy storage system (ESS) 5. Automobiles 10 Battery Module 20 pack covers 20A 1st pack cover 20B 2nd pack cover 30 Oxygen inflow prevention material 100 battery cells 110 Electrode Lead 200 Module Housing 300 Cover Frame A pack opening A1 First pack opening A2 2nd pack opening P module opening P1 First module opening P2 Second module opening M module assembly S space S1 1st space S2 2nd space

Claims

1. a module assembly including a plurality of battery modules, each of the battery modules having a module opening on one side thereof for discharging vent gas; a pack cover facing the module opening, the pack cover configured to cover the one side of the module assembly; an oxygen inflow prevention member disposed in a space formed between the module assembly and the pack cover, the oxygen inflow prevention member configured to prevent oxygen from flowing back after vent gas is discharged along the extension direction of the space; a pack opening provided at least at one of both end portions in the extension direction of the space; In a battery pack including: the pack covers include a first pack cover provided on one side of the module assembly and a second pack cover provided on the other side of each of the battery modules; The battery pack a first pack opening formed at one end of both ends in an extension direction of a first space formed between the first pack cover and the module assembly; a second pack opening formed at one end opposite to the one end of a second space formed between the second pack cover and the module assembly in an extension direction; Including the battery pack.

2. The oxygen inflow prevention member is provided in plurality, The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of oxygen inflow prevention members are arranged spaced apart from each other along an extension direction of the space.

3. The oxygen inflow prevention member is The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the battery pack is disposed between a pair of the battery modules adjacent to each other in the space.

4. the space includes a plurality of compartment spaces partitioned by the oxygen inflow prevention member, The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the oxygen inflow prevention member has an openable / closable structure to allow or block the flow of fluid between the adjacent compartment spaces.

5. The oxygen inflow prevention member is The battery pack according to claim 4 , wherein the space is configured to be opened when a pressure of a fluid flowing along the extension direction of the space is equal to or higher than a reference pressure.

6. The oxygen inflow prevention member is The battery pack according to claim 4 , wherein the battery pack is a rotatable door.

7. The oxygen inflow prevention member is The battery pack according to claim 4 , wherein the valve has a structure that is partially cut open so as to be able to open and close.

8. The oxygen inflow prevention member is 5. The battery pack according to claim 4, which is configured to be openable in only one direction.

9. 2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein in the plurality of battery modules, the module openings include a first module opening provided on the one side of each of the battery modules and a second module opening provided on the other side of each of the battery modules.

10. 2. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein the oxygen inflow prevention member includes: a first oxygen inflow prevention member disposed in a first space formed between the first pack cover and the module assembly; and a second oxygen inflow prevention member disposed in a second space formed between the second pack cover and the module assembly.

11. An energy storage system (ESS) comprising a battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A motor vehicle comprising a battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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