Battery pack and automobile including same

Abstract

The present invention discloses a battery pack configured to allow high-temperature gas generated in a battery module to be discharged to the outside of the battery pack without affecting other adjacent battery modules. The battery pack according to one aspect of the present invention includes a pack housing, a battery module, and a pack cover configured to include a side vent channel configured to guide gas generated from the battery module to a center space at a position corresponding to the battery module, and a center vent channel configured to guide gas collected toward the center space to the outside of the pack housing at a position corresponding to the center space, the center vent channel having a volume equal to or larger than the volume of the side vent channel.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack and a vehicle including the same, and more particularly to a battery pack and a vehicle including the same that are configured to allow high-temperature gas to be discharged to the outside of the battery pack without affecting other adjacent battery modules when gas is generated within a battery module.

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0028947, filed on March 7, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety in the specification and drawings. [Background technology]

[0003] In recent years, as the demand for portable electronic products such as notebook computers, video cameras, and mobile phones has increased dramatically and robots, electric vehicles, and the like have been commercialized in earnest, active research has been conducted on high-performance secondary batteries that can be repeatedly charged and discharged.

[0004] Currently, commercially available secondary batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, and lithium secondary batteries. Among these, lithium secondary batteries are attracting attention for their advantages of being freely chargeable and dischargeable since they have almost no memory effect compared to nickel-based secondary batteries, as well as their extremely low self-discharge rate and high energy density.

[0005] Such a lithium secondary battery mainly uses a lithium-based oxide and a carbon material as a positive electrode active material and a negative electrode active material, respectively, and includes an electrode assembly in which a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate coated with such a positive electrode active material and a negative electrode active material are arranged with a separator sandwiched therebetween, and an exterior material, such as a battery case, that encloses the electrode assembly together with an electrolyte.

[0006] In general, lithium secondary batteries can be broadly classified into can-type secondary batteries, in which the electrode assembly is housed in a metal can, and pouch-type secondary batteries, in which the electrode assembly is housed in a pouch made of an aluminum laminate sheet, depending on the shape of the exterior material.

[0007] Recently, secondary batteries are widely used for driving and storing energy not only in small devices such as portable electronic devices but also in medium-sized and large devices such as electric vehicles and energy storage systems (ESS). A battery module can be configured by housing a plurality of such secondary batteries together inside a module case while electrically connected, and such battery modules are electrically reconnected in a narrow space to configure a battery pack in order to increase the energy density.

[0008] However, when multiple battery modules are densely packed in a small space, there is a concern that the battery module may be vulnerable to accidents such as fires and explosions. For example, if an event such as thermal runaway occurs in one of the multiple battery modules, high-temperature gas may be discharged from the battery module. If such gas is not properly discharged to the outside of the battery pack, the gas may propagate to other battery modules in the battery pack, causing a chain reaction. In addition, in this case, the pressure inside the battery pack may increase, causing an explosion. If the battery pack explodes, the explosion pressure may cause significant damage to surrounding devices and users, and the range and speed of the damage may increase. Therefore, there is a need to develop a battery pack having a structure that can safely discharge high-temperature gas to the outside of the battery pack without affecting other adjacent battery modules even if an abnormality occurs in some battery modules and gas is discharged. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] In one aspect of the present invention, the present invention has been devised in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack that can control the flow of gas in a desired direction by adding an additional vent flow path forming structure to a conventional battery pack.

[0010] In another aspect of the present invention, an object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack capable of preventing a phenomenon in which gas smoothly moves through a side vent passage to a center vent passage and then flows back toward the side vent passage.

[0011] In yet another aspect of the present invention, an object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack that, when a thermal event occurs in some battery modules, allows emitted high-temperature gas to be safely discharged outside the battery pack without affecting other battery modules in the battery pack. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention to achieve the above object, a battery pack may include: a pack housing including a first accommodating space, a second accommodating space spaced apart from the first accommodating space, and a center space formed between the first accommodating space and the second accommodating space; at least one first battery module disposed in the first accommodating space; and at least one second battery module disposed in the second accommodating space. A pack cover may include: a first side vent flow path having a first volume, configured to guide gas generated from the first battery module to the center space at a position corresponding to the first battery module, a second side vent flow path having a second volume, configured to guide gas generated from the second battery module to the center space at a position corresponding to the first battery module, and a center vent flow path having a third volume equal to or greater than the first volume and the second volume.

[0013] The pack cover may be formed such that a region corresponding to the center vent passage is positioned higher than regions corresponding to the first side vent passage and the second side vent passage.

[0014] The battery pack may include partitions disposed at positions corresponding to between adjacent first battery modules and between adjacent second battery modules.

[0015] The partition wall may be configured to block gas movement between the respective storage spaces of the adjacent first battery modules and between the respective storage spaces of the adjacent second battery modules.

[0016] The battery pack may include a seal member at least one of between the partition and the pack cover and between the partition and the pack housing.

[0017] The pack cover may include a cover plate configured to cover an accommodating space of the pack housing, and a flow path plate coupled to an inner surface of the cover plate and having the first side vent flow path, the second side vent flow path, and the center vent flow path.

[0018] The flow path plate may include a first flow path plate coupled to an inner surface of the cover plate at a position corresponding to the first battery module and having the first side vent flow path, a second flow path plate coupled to an inner surface of the cover plate at a position corresponding to the second battery module and having the second side vent flow path, and a third flow path plate coupled to an inner surface of the cover plate at a position corresponding to the center space and having the center vent flow path.

[0019] The pack housing may include a gas collection space formed on at least one of one side and the other side along an extension direction of the center vent passage.

[0020] The pack housing may include a vent device configured to allow gas in the gas collecting space to be discharged to the outside of the pack housing.

[0021] The first side vent passage and the second side vent passage may have a groove shape formed in an inner surface of the pack cover.

[0022] The first side vent flow passage and the second side vent flow passage each have a groove shape formed on one surface of the first flow passage plate and the second flow passage plate, and the first flow passage plate and the second flow passage plate may be coupled to an inner surface of the cover plate on a surface opposite to the one surface on which the groove shape is formed.

[0023] The first side vent channel and the second side vent channel may each be provided in a plurality of channels along a longitudinal direction of the battery pack.

[0024] The center vent passage may include a first center vent passage communicating with the first side vent passage and configured to have a fourth volume greater than the first volume, and a second center vent passage communicating with the second side vent passage and configured to have a fifth volume greater than the second volume.

[0025] The third flow path plate may include a first flow path forming portion forming a first center vent flow path communicating with the first side vent flow path, a second flow path forming portion forming a second center vent flow path communicating with the second side vent flow path, and a connecting portion connecting the first flow path forming portion and the second flow path forming portion and connected to an inner surface of the cover plate.

[0026] In order to achieve the above object, a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a battery pack according to the present invention. Effect of the Invention

[0027] According to one aspect of the present invention, a vent passage is created in the pack cover, which is normally used only to cover the pack housing, and a function for controlling the flow of gas can be added. In the event of a thermal event, the temperature of the gas and flame from each battery module may decrease during movement, and the intensity of the flame may weaken. The high-temperature gas and flame may be ejected to the outside, thereby eliminating or reducing the damage that may occur.

[0028] In particular, the pack cover has a structure with a side vent passage that is smaller in volume than the center vent passage, which allows gas to move smoothly from the side vent passage to the center vent passage and prevents gas that has flowed into the center vent passage from flowing back into the side vent passage, thereby enabling smooth exhaust of gas.

[0029] According to another aspect of the present invention, the volume of the center vent passage can be easily formed to be larger than the volume of the side vent passage. When a battery pack including a pack cover with a center region protruding upward is mounted in a vehicle, the protruding portion of the pack cover is located between the driver's seat and the passenger seat and / or in the center of the rear seat of the vehicle, so that the battery pack can be easily mounted.

[0030] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, it is possible to delay / prevent high-temperature vent gas from a battery module in which a problem occurs during a thermal event from affecting adjacent battery modules.

[0031] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, gas can be quickly discharged.

[0032] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent a fire or to slow the rate at which a fire spreads.

[0033] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, in a secondary battery for which energy density is important, electrical components required for a battery module can be arranged without providing a separate space for the electrical components, and at the same time, the secondary battery can be protected from external physical impacts.

[0034] In addition, the present invention can have various other effects, which will be described in each embodiment, and descriptions of effects that can be easily inferred by those skilled in the art will be omitted.

[0035] The drawings attached to this specification are intended to illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and serve to facilitate a further understanding of the technical ideas of the present invention as well as the content of the invention, and therefore the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to only the matters depicted in the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0036] [Figure 1] 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a battery pack according to the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a battery pack according to the present invention; [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an internal space of a pack housing included in a battery pack according to the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a battery module included in a battery pack according to the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a battery module included in a battery pack according to the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a pack cover included in a battery pack according to the present invention. [Figure 7] 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section taken along line BB' in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section taken along line CC' in FIG. 6. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a pack cover included in a battery pack according to the present invention. [Figure 10] 1 is a diagram showing a partition included in a battery pack according to the present invention; [Figure 11] 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section taken along line AA' in FIG. 2. [Figure 12] 4A and 4B are diagrams showing a collection space and a vent hole included in a battery pack according to the present invention. [Figure 13] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a cover plate and a flow path plate included in a battery pack according to the present invention. [Figure 14] 11A and 11B are diagrams showing grooves provided in a pack cover included in a battery pack according to the present invention. [Figure 15] 14 is a diagram showing a cross section taken along line DD' of a battery pack according to the present invention to which the pack cover of FIG. 13 is applied. [Figure 16] FIG. 1 shows a motor vehicle according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0037] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings attached to this specification are intended to illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention, and are intended to facilitate further understanding of the technical ideas of the present invention together with the detailed description of the invention described below. Therefore, the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to only the matters described in the drawings. The same reference numerals refer to the same components. Also, in the drawings, thicknesses, ratios, and dimensions of components may be exaggerated for the purpose of effectively explaining the technical contents.

[0038] The terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted in a limited manner to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted in a manner that corresponds to the technical concept of the present invention, based on the principle that the inventor himself can appropriately define the concept of the term in order to best describe the invention.

[0039] In this specification, terms indicating directions such as up, down, left, right, front, and back are used, but these terms are used merely for convenience of explanation, and it will be obvious to those skilled in the art of the present invention that they may change depending on the position of the object of interest, the position of the observer, etc.

[0040] Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiment described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiment of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical idea of ​​the present invention, and therefore there may be various equivalents and modifications that can be substituted therefor at the time of this application.

[0041] Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a battery pack according to the present invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a battery pack according to the present invention. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing an internal space of a pack housing included in a battery pack according to the present invention.

[0042] 1 to 3, a battery pack 10 according to the present invention includes a pack housing 100, a first battery module 210, a second battery module 220, and a pack cover 300.

[0043] The pack housing 100 may include a first housing space 110, a second housing space 120 spaced apart from the first housing space 110, and a center space 130 formed between the first housing space 110 and the second housing space 120. The first housing space 110 may be disposed opposite the second housing space 120 with the center space 130 sandwiched therebetween. The pack housing 100 may include five plates having a rectangular parallelepiped shape with one side missing. In this case, at least a portion of each plate constituting the pack housing 100 may be configured to be integrated with each other. Alternatively, each of the five plates may be manufactured separately and then joined to each other by welding, bolting, or the like. The pack housing 100 may include a metal material such as aluminum. However, the present invention does not limit the pack housing 100 to a specific material.

[0044] At least one first battery module 210 may be disposed in the first accommodating space 110. At least one second battery module 220 may be disposed in the second accommodating space 120. For example, as shown in FIG 1, four first battery modules 210 may be provided in the first accommodating space 110, and four second battery modules 220 may be provided in the second accommodating space 120.

[0045] The pack cover 300 may be configured to mate with the pack housing 100 and cover the battery module 200 .

[0046] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a battery module included in a battery pack according to the present invention.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 4, the battery module 200 may include a battery cell 201. A plurality of battery cells 201 may be provided. The battery cell 201 may refer to a secondary battery. The battery cell 201 may include an electrode assembly, an electrolyte, a battery case that houses the electrode assembly and the electrolyte, and a pair of electrode leads that are connected to the electrode assembly and drawn out to the outside of the battery case. The battery cell 201 may be, for example, a pouch-type secondary battery. However, other types of secondary batteries, for example, cylindrical batteries and square batteries, may also be adopted as the battery cell 201 of the present invention.

[0048] When a plurality of battery cells 201 are provided, the plurality of battery cells 201 may be electrically connected. The battery module 200 may further include a bus bar frame assembly 202 for electrically connecting the plurality of battery cells 201. The bus bar frame assembly 202 may be, for example, a pair. In this case, each of the pair of bus bar frame assemblies 202 may be coupled to one side and the other side of the battery cell 201 in the longitudinal direction (direction parallel to the X-axis).

[0049] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a battery module included in a battery pack according to the present invention.

[0050] The battery module 200 may further include a module case 203. The module case 203 may be configured to accommodate at least one battery cell 201. The module case 203 may include a vent hole 203a. The vent hole 203a) may be configured to allow gas to be discharged from the inside of the module case 203 to the outside when gas is generated from the battery cell 201 accommodated in the internal space.

[0051] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a pack cover included in a battery pack according to the present invention. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section taken along line B-B' in Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section taken along line CC' in Fig. 6.

[0052] 6-8, the pack cover 300 may include a first side vent passage 310, a second side vent passage 320, and a center vent passage 330.

[0053] The first side vent flow passage 310 may be configured to guide the gas generated from the first battery module 210 to the center space 130 at a position corresponding to the first battery module 210. The first side vent flow passage 310 may have a substantially trapezoidal shape when viewed in the YZ plane. The first side vent flow passage 310 may have a shape extending in the X-axis direction. The first side vent flow passage 310 may be a groove formed on one surface (a surface parallel to the XY plane) of the pack cover 300. The first side vent flow passage 310 may have a first volume. With reference to FIG. 1 as well, the first volume may be the volume of a space between the inside of the pack cover 300 and the first battery module 210 positioned to be in close contact with the pack cover 300. When a plurality of first battery modules 210 are provided, the volume of the first side vent flow passage 310 at a position corresponding to one battery module may be the first volume. When a plurality of first side vent flow passages 310 are provided, the volume of each flow passage may be the first volume.

[0054] When the above description of FIG. 7 and the first side vent flow passage 320 is applied to the second side vent flow passage 320, the second side vent flow passage 320 may be configured to guide the gas generated from the second battery module 220 to the center space 130 at a position corresponding to the second battery module 220. The second side vent flow passage 320 may have a substantially trapezoidal shape when viewed in the YZ plane. The second side vent flow passage 320 may have a shape extending in the X-axis direction. The second side vent flow passage 320 may be a groove formed on one surface (a surface parallel to the XY plane) of the pack cover 300. The second side vent flow passage 320 may have a second volume. With reference to FIG. 1 as well, the second volume may be the volume of a space between the inside of the pack cover 300 and the second battery module 220 positioned to be in close contact with the pack cover 300. When a plurality of second battery modules 220 are provided, the volume of the second side vent channel 320 at a position corresponding to one battery module may be the second volume. When a plurality of second side vent channels 320 are provided, the volume of each channel may be the second volume.

[0055] 6 to 8 together with Fig. 3, the center vent passage 330 may be configured to guide gas collected toward the center space 130 to the outside of the pack housing 100 at a position corresponding to the center space 130. The center vent passage 330 may have a width corresponding to the center space 130 and a height corresponding to the first side vent passage 310 and the second side vent passage 320 in the XZ plane, and may have a shape extending in the Y-axis direction. The center vent passage 330 may have a third volume equal to or larger than the first volume and the second volume.

[0056] According to this configuration of the present invention, a vent passage is created in the pack cover 300, which is normally used only to cover the pack housing 100, and a function of controlling the flow of gas can be added. In the event of a thermal event, gas and flames from each battery module can move to the center vent passage 330 through the first side vent passage 310 and the second side vent passage 320, and the temperature of the gas can decrease during the movement, and the intensity of the flame can weaken. Damage that may occur due to high-temperature gas and flames being ejected to the outside can be eliminated or reduced.

[0057] In particular, when the center vent passage 330 has a volume equal to or larger than that of the side vent passages 310 and 320, gas can be smoothly transferred from the side vent passages 310 and 320 to the center vent passage 330, and the gas that has flowed into the center vent passage 330 can be prevented from flowing back into the side vent passages, thereby enabling smooth exhaust of gas.

[0058] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a pack cover included in a battery pack according to the present invention.

[0059] 9, the pack cover 300 may have a region corresponding to the center vent channel 330 formed at a higher position than regions corresponding to the first side vent channel 310 and the second side vent channel 320. The pack cover 300 may have a shape in which only the region corresponding to the center vent channel 330 protrudes in the positive direction of the Z axis. The protruding shape may be such that the inner surface of the pack cover 300 is recessed to form a certain space inside.

[0060] According to such a configuration of the present invention, it is easy to form the volume of the center vent flow passage 330 to be larger than the volume of the side vent flow passage. Furthermore, when the battery pack 10 including such a pack cover 300 is mounted in an automobile, the protruding portion of the pack cover 300 is located between the driver's seat and the passenger seat and / or in the center of the rear seat of the automobile, so that the battery pack 10 can be easily mounted.

[0061] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a partition and an additional partition included in a battery pack according to the present invention.

[0062] 10, the battery pack 10 according to the present invention may include a partition 140 and an additional partition 141. The partition 140 may be disposed at a position corresponding to between adjacent first battery modules 210 and between adjacent second battery modules 220. The partition 140 may be configured to block gas movement between the respective accommodation spaces of adjacent first battery modules 210 and between the respective accommodation spaces of adjacent second battery modules 220. The partition 140 may be coupled to the pack cover 300 and / or the pack housing 100. The coupling may be mutual coupling by welding, bolting, or the like. The partition 140 may have an approximately beam shape with a hollow interior.

[0063] According to the above-described configuration of the present invention, the storage spaces of the first battery modules 210 adjacent to each other and the storage spaces of the second battery modules 220 adjacent to each other are structurally isolated from each other by the partition wall 140, so that the gas generated from each battery module does not move toward the adjacent battery module side, but moves only in the direction toward the sensor space through the first side vent channel 310 and the second side vent channel 320. During this movement, the temperature of the gas may decrease and the intensity of the flame may weaken, so that the influence of the high-temperature flame and gas generated from each battery module on the other battery modules can be minimized. Meanwhile, when the partition wall 140 has an approximately beam shape with a hollow interior, the weight can be reduced without sacrificing rigidity. The hollow space formed in the partition wall 140 can be utilized as a space for accommodating electrical equipment required for the battery module. The electrical equipment can be protected from physical impact by the partition wall 140.

[0064] Referring again to FIG. 10 together with FIG. 3, the additional partition wall 141 may have a shape that extends long along the extension direction (direction parallel to the Y-axis) of the center vent passage 330 to define the accommodation space of the first battery module 210. As a result, the accommodation space of the first battery module 210 may be formed by the pack housing 100 and the additional partition wall 141. Similarly, the additional partition wall 141 for defining the accommodation space of the second battery module 220 may have a shape that extends long along the extension direction (direction parallel to the Y-axis) of the center vent passage 330, i.e., the longitudinal direction of the battery pack 10. As a result, the accommodation space of the second battery module 220 may be formed by the pack housing 100 and the additional partition wall 141. In this manner, when the additional partition wall 141 for defining the accommodation space of the first battery module 210 and the additional partition wall 141 for defining the accommodation space of the second battery module 220 are provided separately, the additional partition wall 141 for defining the accommodation space of the first battery module 210 and the additional partition wall 141 for defining the accommodation space of the second battery module 220 are spaced apart from each other, and a center space 130 may be formed therebetween. Meanwhile, the additional partition wall 141 may be configured to function as a common partition wall 140 for defining the accommodation space of the first battery module 210 and the accommodation space of the second battery module 220 in the pack housing 100. The additional partition wall 141 may have a shape that extends long along the extension direction of the center vent passage 330. Such an additional partition wall 141 may be located at approximately the center of the width direction (direction parallel to the X-axis) of the pack housing 100.

[0065] The additional partition 141 may have a hollow interior, which allows weight reduction without sacrificing rigidity. The hollow space formed in the additional partition 141 may be utilized as a passage for wiring connecting the battery modules 200. In addition, the additional partition 141 may protect the wiring from physical impact. Therefore, a high energy density may be achieved in a secondary battery, for which energy density is important.

[0066] The bulkhead 140 and the additional bulkhead 141 may be at least partially integral with each other, or each may be manufactured separately and then joined together by welding, bolting, or the like.

[0067] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section taken along the line AA' in FIG.

[0068] 11 , the battery pack 10 according to the present invention may include a seal member 150. The seal member 150 may be provided between the partition 140 and the pack cover 300 and / or between the partition 140 and the pack housing 100. The seal member 150 may be provided not only in the partition 140 but also in at least one of between the additional partition 141 and the pack cover 300 and between the additional partition 141 and the pack housing 100. The seal member 150 may be configured to enclose at least a portion of the joint between the partition 140 and the pack cover 300 and / or the joint between the partition 140 and the pack housing 100.

[0069] According to such a configuration of the present invention, the effect of preventing gas from moving into the gap between the partition 140 and the pack cover 300 and / or the gap between the partition 140 and the pack housing 100 can be further improved.

[0070] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a gas collection space and a vent device included in a battery pack according to the present invention.

[0071] 12, the pack housing 100 may include a gas collecting space 160. The gas collecting space 160 may be formed on at least one of one side and the other side along the extension direction of the center vent passage 330. The gas collecting space 160 may be in communication with the center vent passage 330. For example, the gas collecting space 160 may be provided at an end of the longitudinal direction (direction parallel to the Y-axis) of the pack housing 100 parallel to the extension direction of the center vent. However, the present invention is not limited to the shape, position, and number of the gas collecting space 160 shown in FIG. 12.

[0072] 12, the pack housing 100 may include a venting device 170. The venting device 170 may be configured to allow gas in the gas collecting space 160 to be discharged to the outside of the pack housing 100. The venting device 170 may be in the form of a simple hole penetrating the pack housing 100. Also, the venting device 170 may be in a completely open form, or may be a specific device that is closed under normal conditions but can be opened in response to changes in pressure, temperature, etc.

[0073] According to this configuration of the present invention, when a large amount of gas is generated at once and the internal pressure of the battery pack 10 rises, the internal pressure of the battery pack 10 can be quickly reduced through the gas collecting space 160. In addition, the gas can be discharged in an intended direction using the vent device 170, and the processing capacity or number of the vent devices 170 can be increased to more quickly and smoothly discharge the gas even when a large amount of vent gas is instantaneously generated.

[0074] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a cover plate and a flow path plate included in a battery pack according to the present invention.

[0075] 13 , the pack cover 300 may include a cover plate 340 and a flow path plate 350. The cover plate 340 may be configured to cover the storage space of the pack housing 100. The flow path plate 350 may be coupled to an inner surface of the cover plate 340 and may include a first side vent flow path 310, a second side vent flow path 320, and a center vent flow path 330.

[0076] The flow path plate 350 may include a first flow path plate 351, a second flow path plate 352, and a third flow path plate 353. The first flow path plate 351 may be coupled to an inner surface of the cover plate 340 at a position corresponding to the first battery module 210. The first flow path plate 351 may include a first side vent flow path 310. The second flow path plate 352 may be coupled to an inner surface of the cover plate 340 at a position corresponding to the second battery module 220. The second flow path plate 352 may include a second side vent flow path 320. The third flow path plate 353 may be coupled to a position corresponding to the center space 130. The third flow path plate 353 may include a center vent flow path 330.

[0077] At least a portion of the cover plate 340, the first flow path plate 351, the second flow path plate 352 and the third flow path plate 353 may be integrally formed with one another, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to the case where each plate is made separately and joined together.

[0078] According to this configuration of the present invention, when the cover plate 340 and the flow passage plate 350 are not integrally formed but are prepared as separate parts and then joined, the general pack cover 300 without flow passages can be used as is. In addition, when manufacturing the pack cover 300, it is possible to increase production efficiency by manufacturing each plate separately and joining them. Meanwhile, as described above, when the vent flow passage is formed on the inner surface of the pack cover 300, it is possible to minimize the reduction in the internal storage space of the pack housing 100 due to the formation of the flow passage.

[0079] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a groove provided in a pack cover included in a battery pack according to the present invention.

[0080] 14, the first side vent channel 310 and the second side vent channel 320 may have a groove shape G formed on the inner surface of the pack cover 300. Also, the first side vent channel 310 and the second side vent channel 320 may have a groove shape G formed on the inner surface of the channel plate 350. In this case, the channel plate 350 may be coupled to the inner surface of the cover plate 340 on the surface opposite to the inner surface on which the groove shape G is formed.

[0081] A plurality of the first side vent passages 310 and the second side vent passages 320 may be provided along the longitudinal direction (Y-axis extension direction) of the battery pack 10. Therefore, a plurality of groove shapes G may be provided.

[0082] According to such an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to improve space efficiency in a secondary battery in which energy density is important, since it is possible to form a groove on the inner surface of the pack cover 300 or the flow path plate 350 without providing a separate member for forming a vent flow path. This can be achieved more easily than bonding a separate member for forming a vent flow path to the pack cover 300 or the flow path plate 350, and therefore manufacturing is easier.

[0083] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a cross section taken along line DD' of a battery pack according to the present invention to which the pack cover of FIG. 13 is applied.

[0084] Referring to FIG. 15 together with FIG. 13, the center vent channel 330 may include a first center vent channel 331 and a second center vent channel 332. The first center vent channel 331 may be connected to the first side vent channel 310. The first center vent channel 331 may have a substantially rectangular shape when viewed in the XZ plane. The first center vent channel 331 may have a shape extending in the Y-axis direction. The first center vent channel 331 may have a fourth volume larger than the first volume. The second center vent channel 332 may be connected to the second side vent channel 320. The second center vent channel 332 may have a substantially rectangular shape when viewed in the XZ plane. The second center vent channel 332 may have a shape extending in the Y-axis direction. The second center vent channel 332 may have a fifth volume larger than the second volume.

[0085] Referring to FIG. 15 together with FIG. 13, the third flow path plate 353 may include a first flow path forming portion 353a, a second flow path forming portion 353b, and a coupling portion 353c. The first flow path forming portion 353a may form a first center vent flow path 331 communicating with the first side vent flow path 310. The second flow path forming portion 353b may form a second center vent flow path 332 communicating with the second side vent flow path 320. The coupling portion 353c may connect between the first flow path forming portion 353a and the second flow path forming portion 353b. The coupling portion 353c may be coupled to an inner surface of the cover plate 340. The third flow path plate 353 may have a shape that extends long along the Y-axis extension direction. The first flow path forming portion 353a may be located at a predetermined distance from the inner surface of the cover plate 340. As a result, the first center vent passage 331 may be formed in a space surrounded by the first passage forming portion 353a, the cover plate 340, and the coupling portion 353c. Similarly, the second passage forming portion 353b may be positioned at a predetermined distance from the inner surface of the cover plate 340. As a result, the second center vent passage 332 may be formed in a space surrounded by the second passage forming portion 353b, the cover plate 340, and the coupling portion 353c. In order to smoothly communicate the first side vent passage 310 and the first center vent passage 331, the first passage forming portion 353a may be positioned at a height corresponding to the height (length extending along a direction parallel to the Z-axis) of the battery cell 201 arranged upright in the pack housing 100. Similarly, in order to smoothly connect the second side vent passage 320 and the second center vent passage 332, the second passage forming portion 353b may be located at a height corresponding to the height (length extending along a direction parallel to the Z axis) of the battery cell 201 arranged upright in the pack housing 100.

[0086] FIG. 16 shows a vehicle according to the present invention.

[0087] 16, the battery pack 10 according to the present invention may be applied to an automobile 1 such as an electric automobile or a hybrid automobile. That is, the automobile 1 according to the present invention may include the battery pack 10 according to the present invention. Furthermore, the automobile 1 according to the present invention may further include various other components included in the automobile 1, in addition to the battery pack 10. For example, the automobile 1 according to the present invention may further include a vehicle body, a motor, a control device such as an electronic control unit (ECU), in addition to the battery pack 10 according to the present invention.

[0088] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, focusing on the preferred embodiment, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that many various and obvious modifications can be made from such description without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should be interpreted by the claims written to include such many modifications. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 1. Automobiles 10 Battery Pack 100 pack housing 110 First Storage Space 120 Second Storage Space 130 Center Space 140 Bulkhead 141 Additional bulkhead 150 Sealing material 160 Gas collection space 170 Venting Device 200 Battery Module 201 Battery Cells 202 Busbar Frame Assembly 203 Module Case 203a Vent Hole 210 First Battery Module 220 Second Battery Module 300 Pack Cover 310 First side vent passage 320 Second side vent passage 330 Center vent passage 331 First center vent passage 332 Second center vent passage 340 Cover Plate 350 Flow Plate 351 First flow path plate 352 Second flow path plate 353 3rd flow path plate 353a First flow path forming section 353b Second flow path forming portion 353c joint G groove shape

Claims

1. a pack housing including a first accommodating space, a second accommodating space located apart from the first accommodating space, and a center space formed between the first accommodating space and the second accommodating space; At least one first battery module disposed in the first accommodating space; At least one second battery module disposed in the second accommodating space; and a pack cover configured to include: a first side vent flow passage having a first volume, configured to guide gas generated from the first battery module to the center space at a position corresponding to the first battery module; a second side vent flow passage having a second volume, configured to guide gas generated from the second battery module to the center space at a position corresponding to the first battery module; and a center vent flow passage having a third volume equal to or greater than the first volume and the second volume, configured to guide gas collected toward the center space to an outside of the pack housing at a position corresponding to the center space; Including the battery pack.

2. The pack cover includes: The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein an area corresponding to the center vent passage is formed at a higher position than areas corresponding to the first side vent passage and the second side vent passage.

3. The battery pack includes: The battery pack according to claim 1 , further comprising partitions disposed at positions corresponding to between adjacent first battery modules and between adjacent second battery modules.

4. The partition wall is 4. The battery pack according to claim 3, configured to block gas movement between the respective storage spaces of the first battery modules adjacent to each other and block gas movement between the respective storage spaces of the second battery modules adjacent to each other.

5. The battery pack includes: The battery pack according to claim 4 , further comprising a seal member at least one of between the partition and the pack cover and between the partition and the pack housing.

6. The pack cover includes: A cover plate configured to cover an accommodation space of the pack housing; a channel plate coupled to an inner surface of the cover plate and including the first side vent channel, the second side vent channel, and the center vent channel; 10. The battery pack of claim 1, comprising:

7. The flow path plate includes: a first flow path plate coupled to an inner surface of the cover plate at a position corresponding to the first battery module, the first flow path plate including the first side vent flow path; a second flow path plate coupled to an inner surface of the cover plate at a position corresponding to the second battery module, the second flow path plate including the second side vent flow path; a third flow path plate coupled to an inner surface of the cover plate at a position corresponding to the center space, the third flow path plate including the center vent flow path; 7. The battery pack of claim 6, comprising:

8. The pack housing includes: The battery pack according to claim 1 , further comprising a gas collection space formed on at least one of one side and the other side along an extension direction of the center vent flow passage.

9. The pack housing includes: The battery pack according to claim 8 , further comprising a vent device configured to allow gas in the gas collection space to be discharged to the outside of the pack housing.

10. The first side vent passage and the second side vent passage are The battery pack according to claim 1 , further comprising a groove formed on an inner surface of the pack cover.

11. The first side vent passage and the second side vent passage are Each of the first flow path plate and the second flow path plate has a groove shape formed on one surface thereof, The battery pack according to claim 7 , wherein the first flow path plate and the second flow path plate are coupled to an inner surface of the cover plate on a surface opposite to the one surface on which the groove shape is formed.

12. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the first side vent passage and the second side vent passage are each provided in a plurality of portions along a longitudinal direction of the battery pack.

13. The center vent passage is a first center vent passage communicating with the first side vent passage and configured to have a fourth volume greater than the first volume; a second center vent passage communicating with the second side vent passage and configured to have a fifth volume greater than the second volume; 8. The battery pack of claim 7, comprising:

14. The third flow path plate is a first flow passage forming portion that forms a first center vent flow passage that communicates with the first side vent flow passage; a second flow passage forming portion that forms a second center vent flow passage that communicates with the second side vent flow passage; a coupling portion that couples the first flow path forming portion and the second flow path forming portion and is coupled to an inner surface of the cover plate; 14. The battery pack of claim 13, comprising:

15. A motor vehicle comprising a battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

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