Battery module with enhanced safety

Abstract

The present invention discloses a battery module having an improved structure to enhance safety when a thermal event occurs inside the battery module. A battery module according to one aspect of the present invention includes a module case forming an internal space, a plurality of battery cells accommodated in the internal space of the module case and arranged in at least one direction, and a guide plate connected to at least one side of the module case and having a shape extending in an oblique direction.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery module, and more particularly, to a battery module having enhanced safety through the use of an improved structure for discharging vent gases, etc.

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0130264, filed on October 12, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety in the specification and drawings. [Background technology]

[0003] Demand for portable electronic products that use electricity as a power source, such as laptops, video cameras, and mobile phones, is growing rapidly, and mobile robots, electric bicycles, electric carts, electric cars, etc. are becoming commonly commercialized. As a result, research into high-performance secondary batteries that can be repeatedly charged and discharged is being actively conducted.

[0004] Currently commercially available secondary batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, and lithium secondary batteries. Among them, lithium secondary batteries have the advantage of being freely chargeable and dischargeable since they have almost no memory effect compared to nickel-based secondary batteries, and have a very low self-discharge rate. They also have the characteristics of high energy density and high operating voltage. Therefore, more intensive research is being conducted on lithium secondary batteries than on other types of secondary batteries, and they are being applied more extensively to actual products.

[0005] Recently, secondary batteries have been widely used not only in small devices such as portable electronic devices, but also in medium to large devices such as electric vehicles and energy storage systems (ESS).

[0006] In this case, a battery module in which a plurality of electrically connected secondary batteries are housed together inside a module case is mainly applied, and further, when high power or high capacity is required, a battery pack in which a plurality of such battery modules are electrically connected may be applied.

[0007] Although secondary batteries having such advantages are being used in a wider variety of forms, the behavioral characteristics of secondary batteries may cause problems such as swelling, application of rush current, overheating due to Joule heating, or thermal runaway due to decomposition of the electrolyte.

[0008] In addition, if an event such as a short circuit between secondary batteries or an excessive rise in temperature occurs, a large amount of vent gas may be generated, and if this becomes severe, not only flames but also high-temperature particles containing electrode active material and aluminum particles may be released at the same time, so ensuring the safety of battery modules is becoming even more important.

[0009] Battery modules and battery packs may be more vulnerable to thermal events because multiple secondary batteries (battery cells) or multiple cell assemblies are densely packed in a spatially intensive manner. In particular, if thermal runaway occurs inside a battery module, high-temperature gas, flame, heat, etc. may be generated, and if these are not quickly controlled, thermal propagation may cause a chain reaction of fires or explosions in the battery module and adjacent battery modules.

[0010] In the case of medium- to large-sized battery packs applied to vehicles such as electric cars in which users ride, a large number of battery cells and battery modules are installed in a more concentrated manner to increase output and capacity, which not only raises concerns about the possibility of causing large-scale fires, but also raises the risk of personal injury. Therefore, there is a high need to more strongly suppress and control thermal phenomena that may occur in battery modules from an early stage.

[0011] Although conventional battery modules include structures such as vent holes that discharge vent gas or a thermal event such as a flame to the outside in the event of such a event, they have an overall sealed or closed structure, and therefore there is a risk of fatal safety issues, such as the structure of the battery module collapsing or the battery module itself exploding, if a thermal event of a scale that exceeds the discharge capacity of the vent holes occurs in a short period of time. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0012] The present invention has been created to solve the above-mentioned problems under the above-mentioned background, and aims to provide a battery module, etc. with enhanced safety that can adaptively respond to even a large amount of vent gas, etc., by applying an improved structure that effectively ensures sufficient exhaust space or area.

[0013] The technical problems that the present invention aims to solve are not limited to the problems described above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention described below. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] In order to achieve the above-mentioned objective, a battery module according to one aspect of the present invention may include a module case forming an internal space, a plurality of battery cells housed in the internal space of the module case and arranged in at least one direction, and a guide plate connected to at least one side of the module case and having a shape extending in an oblique direction.

[0015] The module case may include side plates configured to cover both sides of the plurality of battery cells, and the guide plate may be connected to the side plates and extend in an oblique direction.

[0016] Furthermore, the guide plate of the present invention may include one or more through holes through which vent gas is discharged. In this case, the through holes of the present invention are preferably formed at the end of the upper portion of the guide plate.

[0017] Specifically, the guide plate of the present invention may include a first plate having a shape extending diagonally, and a second plate connected to the upper part of the first plate, arranged horizontally, and abutting the upper frame of the pack housing.

[0018] Preferably, the second plate of the present invention may include one or more through holes formed inwardly from the position of the first plate.

[0019] Here, it is preferable that the through hole is configured to communicate with a vent channel formed inside the upper frame and to be formed at a position corresponding to an inlet formed on a lower surface of the upper frame.

[0020] In addition, the guide plate of the present invention may have one or more horizontally extending groove lines formed on the inner side surface, or the guide plate may have one or more protrusions protruding outward from the inner side surface.

[0021] In order to achieve the above object, a battery pack according to another aspect of the present invention includes a battery module according to the present invention.

[0022] Furthermore, in order to achieve the above object, a vehicle according to yet another aspect of the present invention includes a battery module according to the present invention. Effect of the Invention

[0023] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a battery module with enhanced safety that can secure sufficient space to allow vent gas, flames, etc. generated in a battery cell or cell assembly to be discharged, and can adaptively respond to even a fairly large-scale thermal event that occurs in a short period of time, thereby preventing the structural collapse or destruction of the battery module itself.

[0024] In addition, in the present invention, by applying a mechanical structure that generates a flow in the reverse direction and increases the contact area, the temperature of the vent gas can be naturally lowered and the physical force can be weakened as the vent gas is discharged along the guide plate, thereby further improving the safety of the battery module.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a structure that is organically connected to the upper frame of the pack housing is applied to the battery module, which not only increases the process efficiency of packaging the battery module in the pack housing, but also improves the structural engineering rigidity of the battery module itself as well as the physical rigidity of the battery pack itself.

[0026] In particular, by configuring the guide plate to be organically connected to the vent channel of the pack housing, it is possible to more easily integrate a flow path in the battery pack dimension for discharging vent gas, etc., without the addition of any additional structure.

[0027] In addition to these, the present invention can have various other effects, which will be described in the sections for each embodiment, and descriptions of effects that can be easily inferred by a person skilled in the art will be omitted.

[0028] 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 contents of the invention, and therefore the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to the matters depicted in the drawings. Meanwhile, the shape, size, scale, or ratio of elements in the drawings attached to this specification may be exaggerated to emphasize a clearer description. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view illustrating an overall appearance of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an internal configuration of the battery module shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] 4 is a diagram illustrating a schematic manner in which vent gas and the like are discharged in a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 2A to 2C are diagrams illustrating the overall structure of a guide plate according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 11A to 11C are diagrams illustrating the overall structure of a guide plate according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating the guide plate of the present invention that is coupled to the upper frame of the pack housing. [Figure 7] 13 is a diagram illustrating the structure of an upper frame of the pack housing that is physically connected to the guide plate of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 8] 13 is a diagram illustrating the structure of an upper frame of the pack housing that is physically connected to the guide plate of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 9] 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating a guide plate according to an embodiment of the present invention coupled to an upper frame of a pack housing. [Figure 10] 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating a structure of a guide plate according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating a structure of a guide plate according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Prior to this, the terms and words used in the present specification and claims are not to be construed as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but are to be construed as having meanings and concepts corresponding to the technical ideas of the present invention, in accordance with the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concepts of terms himself / herself in order to best describe the invention.

[0031] Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiment described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are merely preferred embodiments 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.

[0032] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the illustrated axes, terms referring to those axes, and directional terms such as upper, lower, forward, backward, vertical, etc., which are described based on those axes, are merely intended to provide a relative reference for describing the embodiments of the present invention, and are not intended to specify a direction or position in an absolute reference, and it goes without saying that they may vary relatively depending on the position of the target object, the position of the observer, the view direction, etc.

[0033] Hereinafter, as described above, the embodiment of the present invention will be described by defining the Z axis as a reference for the up-down or vertical direction, and from a corresponding viewpoint, the embodiment of the present invention will be described by defining the Y axis as a reference for the front or rear and the X axis as a reference for the left or right side. According to the references defined in this way, the XY plane is the horizontal plane in the embodiment of the present invention, and the Y axis direction is the longitudinal direction (long axis reference) of the battery cell 110 or the cell assembly 100.

[0034] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall appearance of a battery module 1000 according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the internal configuration of the battery module 1000 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic manner in which vent gas, etc. are discharged in a battery module 1000 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] As shown in the figure, the battery module 1000 includes a module case 300 that functions as a case, a cell assembly 100 including one or more battery cells 110, and a guide plate 200 (200A, 200B) that are provided in an internal space provided by the module case 300.

[0036] The battery cell 110 refers to a secondary battery including an electrode assembly, an electrolyte, a battery case, etc., and in the figure, a pouch-type secondary battery which has high energy density and is easy to stack is shown as an example, but it goes without saying that a cylindrical or square secondary battery can also be applied as the battery cell 110.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 2, the cell assembly 100 may be configured in such a manner that the battery cells 110, whose short axes are oriented vertically (Z-axis in the figure), are arranged (stacked) in the left-right direction (X-axis in the figure).

[0038] The figure shows an example in which cell assemblies 100 consisting of a 1×1 matrix based on the vertical (X-axis) and horizontal (Y-axis) are housed in module case 300, but cell assemblies 100 having a wide variety of combinations of arrangements, such as a 1×2 or 2×3 matrix, can be arranged in module case 300 depending on the spatial characteristics, electrical capacity, power level, etc. of the device to be applied.

[0039] Furthermore, when multiple battery cells 110 are grouped, it goes without saying that leads corresponding to the same polarity of individual battery cells 110 can be connected to each other by well-known methods and means so that a common electrode portion in the cell assembly 100 is formed.

[0040] Depending on the embodiment, a heat shield plate 500 having a shape that stands upright in the vertical direction (Z-axis reference) may be interposed between the battery cells 110 or the cell assemblies 100. This heat shield plate 500 functions to block or reduce the propagation of heat, gas, flame, etc. that may occur between the battery cells 110 or the cell assemblies 100, or to delay the propagation time.

[0041] The heat shield plate 500 may be made of a ceramic material such as mica or a material such as silicon, and may include a core plate made of a metal material and a flame-retardant material portion provided on the outside of the core plate to increase rigidity and durability.

[0042] The height (Z-axis direction) of the heat shield plate 500 is preferably configured to be greater than the height of each individual battery cell 110 so that thermal events propagating to adjacent battery cells 110 are effectively suppressed.

[0043] In addition, it is preferable that the heat shield plate 500 is configured to be longer than the longitudinal length (Y-axis direction) of the battery cell 110 or cell assembly 100 in order to prevent vent gas generated in the battery cell 110 or cell assembly 100 from being transmitted to an adjacent battery cell 110 or cell assembly 100 and to guide the generated vent gas to move upward.

[0044] The module case 300 is a component for accommodating one or more cell assemblies 100, and may include a lower plate 320, an end plate 330, and side plates 340, 350 as shown in the figure. The end plate 330 and the side plates 340, 350 may form the side surfaces of the module case 300, and the lower plate 320 may be configured to form the lower surface of the module case 300. The module case 300 of the present invention may have a structure in which the upper plate is omitted in order to ensure a sufficient space for the vent gas to be discharged and to guide the vent gas to be discharged in an upward direction.

[0045] End plate 330, lower plate 320, and one or more of side plates 340, 350 may be formed in a plate shape or in a polyhedral (e.g., rectangular) shape having a certain thickness or more, and side plates 340, 350 may be arranged in a shape in which their respective lower ends are connected to lower plate 320.

[0046] At least a portion of the lower plate 320 and the side plates 340 and 350 may be formed in an integrated shape with each other. For example, one or more of the left plate 340 and the right plate 350 may be formed in an integrated shape with the lower plate 320. In this case, the left plate 340, the right plate 350, and the lower plate 320, which are integrated with each other, may be referred to as a U-plate (frame) or other term depending on their shape characteristics.

[0047] The front plate 330A and the rear plate 330B are end plates 330, which may be respectively connected to the open portions at the front and rear ends of the U-plate. Needless to say, the connection between adjacent plates may be performed by a flange and bolt fastening method, as well as laser welding, ultrasonic welding, etc.

[0048] At least one of the lower plate 320 and the side plates 340 and 350 may have an inner surface made of clad metal, or may have a flame-retardant material such as glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP) attached to the inner surface.

[0049] In order to effectively provide physical protection for the internal components, one or more of plates 320 to 350 constituting module case 300 may be made from a metal material such as high-strength stainless steel (SUS), a plastic material such as acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS) having high heat resistance, temperature resistance, and impact resistance, or other types of plastic materials, and it goes without saying that different portions may be made from different materials depending on the embodiment.

[0050] It goes without saying that the module case 300 of the present invention can be realized in various structures and shapes, including the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, depending on the shape, structure, size, number of components to be joined, etc.

[0051] In order to realize the main technical idea of ​​the present invention, a guide plate 200 is provided on at least one side of the module case 300. In particular, the guide plate 200 may be provided on one or more of the side plates 340, 350, block a part of the left or right side of the module case 300, and have a shape extending in an oblique direction.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 3, the guide plate 200 of the present invention guides vent gas generated in the battery cell 110 or cell assembly 100 to be quickly discharged upward, thereby preventing the generated vent gas from spreading to adjacent battery cells 110 or cell assemblies 100.

[0053] In particular, when a battery pack includes a plurality of battery modules 1000, the battery modules 1000 may be arranged along the left-right direction in which the side plates 340, 350 are provided, rather than along the front-rear direction in which the end plate 330 is provided. Therefore, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the guide plate 200 is extended to the side plates 340, 350, thereby preventing vent gas from spreading to adjacent battery modules 1000.

[0054] The guide plate 200 may be provided by bending the side plates 340, 350. In this case, the guide plate 200 may be easily provided by processing the module case 300.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 3, the guide plate 200 of the present invention is connected to the left plate 340 or the right plate 350 and has a shape extending in an oblique direction, so that sufficient space can be formed in the upper direction of the left or right side as shown in FIG. 3.

[0056] Since the guide plate 200 of the present invention has a plate shape, the space provided by the guide plate 200 based on the cell assembly 100 has a shape that is wider in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction), so that even if a large amount of vent gas is generated in a short period of time, the vent gas can be effectively discharged to the outside through the sufficiently secured space.

[0057] The guide plate 200 of the present invention may be provided in a plurality of pieces. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of guide plates 200 may be extended from the left plate 340 and the right plate 350, respectively. For better understanding and to improve ease and efficiency of explanation, as shown in FIG. 2, the guide plates 200 are distinguished by their reference symbols 200A and 200B according to the positions (left and right) (based on the X-axis) where the guide plates 200 are provided. Details of the guide plate 200 of the present invention and the related configuration of the present invention will be described later. As shown in the figure, the guide plates 200A and 200B of the present invention have a shape in which the inclined surface portion extends inward, so that they have a relatively narrow separation distance compared to the internal width (X-axis direction) of the module case 300. Therefore, when mounting the battery cell 110 or the cell assembly 100 in the module case 300, it is preferable to mount the battery cell 110 or the like in the module case 300 after widening the distance therebetween using a jig device or the like.

[0058] After the battery cells 110 and other components have been mounted, the fixture device or the like can be removed, and the guide plate 200, which is made of a metal material or other material, can return to the shape or posture shown in the figure due to its own elasticity.

[0059] Depending on the embodiment, the left guide plate 200A and the right guide plate 200B may be configured to be connected to each other by one or more wires (not shown) having a shape extending in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction).

[0060] According to such an embodiment of the present invention, the position fixing force of the left guide plate 200A and the right guide plate 200B can be improved, and the durability of the module case 300 can be firmly maintained even if high pressure vent gas is applied to one or both sides.

[0061] In addition, in order to improve the efficiency of the process of mounting the cell assembly 100 or the battery cell 110 in the module case 300, it is preferable that the wire is configured to be detachably connected to one or more of the left guide plate 200A or the right guide plate 200B.

[0062] Depending on the embodiment, the wire is preferably realized by a shape memory alloy (SMA) that is deformed in a contracting direction when the surrounding temperature increases.

[0063] According to this embodiment, even if the temperature and pressure of the battery module 1000 increases due to the discharge of vent gas, etc., the module case 300 can be physically supported more strongly, thereby suppressing or delaying phenomena such as damage or collapse of the module case 300.

[0064] 4 and 5 are diagrams illustrating the overall structure of a guide plate 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the guide plate 200 of the present invention being combined with an upper frame 10 of a pack housing (not shown).

[0065] In the following description, the detailed structure and contents of the guide plate 200 of the present invention will be described based on the right guide plate 200B. Since the left guide plate 200A has a structure corresponding to that of the right guide plate 200B, it goes without saying that the contents of the right guide plate 200B described later can be applied to the left guide plate 200A.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 4, the guide plate 200 of the present invention is formed with one or more through holes 211 through which vent gases, etc. are discharged, and it is preferable that the through holes 211 are formed at the upper end portion of the guide plate 200.

[0067] In this manner, when the through hole 211 is formed in the guide plate 200, the vent gas generated in the battery module 1000 moves through this through hole 211, so that the movement direction of the vent gas, etc. can be guided in a specific direction.

[0068] Furthermore, when the through hole 211 is formed at the upper end of the guide plate 200, organic linkage with the vent channel VC provided in the upper frame 10 of the pack housing (not shown) can be more effectively achieved without adding any other complicated components or structures, etc. This will be described later.

[0069] The guide plate 200 of the present invention may include a first plate 210 having a shape extending in an oblique direction and a second plate 220 connected to an upper portion of the first plate 210, disposed in a horizontal direction, and in contact with an upper frame 10 of a pack housing (not shown). Here, the term "contact" may mean contact while facing each other, contact correspondingly, contact face to face, etc.

[0070] In this manner, when the guide plate 200 includes the second plate 220, the contact area with the upper frame 10 of the pack housing can be increased, and when packaged into a battery pack, not only can the physical support force of the battery module 1000 be improved, but also the position fixing force can be improved.

[0071] In addition, since the guide plate 200, which is structured in a composite manner in the overall horizontal direction and the diagonal vertical direction, is physically in contact with or connected to the upper frame 10 of the pack housing, the structural engineering rigidity of the battery pack can be effectively increased.

[0072] The second plate 220 is connected to the first plate 210, but may be shaped to be wider in both the front and rear directions (relative to the Y-axis), or may be shaped to be wider in only the front or rear direction, depending on the embodiment.

[0073] Even if the second plate 220 has a shape that extends or bends in one direction based on the first plate 210, in order to enhance structural engineering rigidity, etc., it is preferable that the second plate 220 is configured to extend or bend in a direction opposite to the diagonal direction of the first plate 210, i.e., the first plate 210 and the second plate 220 form an acute angle with each other, as shown in Figure 5, etc.

[0074] In this manner, when the guide plate 200 is composed of a first plate 210 and a second plate 220, a through hole 211 functioning as an outlet for discharging vent gas, etc., can be formed in the second plate 220, as shown in FIG. 5.

[0075] In this case, it is preferable that the through hole 211 is formed on the surface of the second plate 220, more inward than the position of the first plate 210. In this way, when the through hole 211 is provided more inward than the position of the first plate 210, as described below, a structural connection relationship with the upper frame 10 of the pack housing can be more organically realized, and this makes it possible to more effectively guide the vent gas and the like to the vent channel VC.

[0076] Figures 7 and 8 are diagrams illustrating the structure of the upper frame 10 of the pack housing that is physically connected to the guide plate 200 of the present invention, and Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating a guide plate according to an embodiment of the present invention that is connected to the upper frame 10 of the pack housing.

[0077] 7 and 8, an upper frame 10 of a pack housing (not shown) includes an outlet 11 through which vent gas and the like flows out and an inlet 13 through which vent gas and the like flows in, and has a vent channel VC formed therein that includes one or more ribs 12 that are structures arranged in a perpendicular direction, etc. For reference, the pack housing refers to a case or housing of a battery pack in which one or more battery modules 1000 are housed.

[0078] Depending on the embodiment, the upper frame 10 of the pack housing may include a first frame 10A provided at the top and a second frame 10B coupled to the first frame 10A at the bottom of the first frame 10A, as illustrated in Figures 7 and 8.

[0079] In this case, the outlet 11 may be formed in the first frame 10A, the inlet 13 may be formed in the second frame 10B, and the structure or components forming the vent path including the ribs 12 may be formed in the lower part of the first frame 10A. In this state, when the first frame 10A and the second frame 10B are physically joined to each other vertically, the upper frame 10 as a whole forms a closed space therein, and this space functions as the vent channel VC.

[0080] In this way, when a vent channel VC is formed in the upper frame 10, the path along which the vent gas travels becomes wider or longer, so that the physical properties of the vent gas, such as the temperature or pressure, are attenuated in the process of the vent gas being discharged. Furthermore, when a flame or the like is discharged together with the vent gas, the strong straightness, which is a behavioral characteristic of the flame, is destroyed, thereby weakening the flame itself.

[0081] In addition, if flame factors (sparks, particles, etc.) are present along with the vent gas, their movement is suppressed by the physical structure that forms the vent channel VC, and they can adhere or be captured, effectively suppressing the phenomenon in which factors or elements that could function as ignition sources fly and scatter and spread, and furthermore, the chain reaction of thermal events is more effectively prevented.

[0082] When the battery module 1000 is accommodated in a pack housing (not shown) of a battery pack, the upper opening of the battery module 1000 may be covered by an upper frame 10 of the pack housing.

[0083] In this case, as shown in FIG. 9, the guide plate 200, specifically, one or more through holes 211 formed in the second plate 220, abuts against the upper frame 10 but is configured to be physically connected to an inlet 13 formed on the underside of the upper frame 10, etc.

[0084] When configured in this manner, the ejection structure performed in the dimension of an individual battery module 1000 can be integrated into an ejection structure in the overall dimension of the battery pack by simply a simple process of abutting the upper frame 10 of the pack housing with the guide plate 200 of the present invention.

[0085] 10 and 11 are diagrams illustrating the structure of a guide plate 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 10, the guide plate 200 of the present invention, specifically, the inner surface of the first plate 210, may have one or more groove lines 213 formed thereon, the groove lines 213 having a shape extending in the horizontal longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the inner surface.

[0087] This groove line 213 has a shape in which a groove is formed concavely from the outer surface toward the inside and extends in the longitudinal direction, and as shown in the same figure, can be provided in multiple places at appropriate intervals based on the vertical direction (Z-axis direction).

[0088] As shown in the figure, the groove line 213 may be a single unit that extends continuously in the horizontal longitudinal direction, or may be made up of two or more part units. In addition, the figure shows an example of the groove line 213 with a constant arrangement interval and line (lane) width, but as described below, it goes without saying that a wide variety of different shapes can be adopted as long as eddy and vortex phenomena can be induced.

[0089] Vent gases and the like have a behavioral characteristic of moving upward because their temperature is high, and since the guide plate 200 of the present invention has a diagonally inclined direction, the vent gases and the like generated in the battery cells 110 move upward more effectively through the guide plate 200 of the present invention.

[0090] In addition, the vent gas etc. moves upward along the surface of the guide plate 200 of the present invention, and in the process, the vent gas etc. hydrodynamically comes into contact with the grooves of the groove line 213.

[0091] In this case, a relatively small vortex or eddy current with a component in the opposite direction due to the resistance of the groove line 213 and physical collisions is induced around the groove line 213. This vortex or eddy current continues to be generated while the heat or the like is flowing in, and the stronger and faster the thermal flow is, the more the generation of the vortex or eddy current is promoted.

[0092] Therefore, while passing through the guide plate 200, a considerable portion of the vent gas, etc. is weakened by vortexes formed by the groove lines 213, and further, the movement path is widened by the groove lines 213, so that the temperature of the vent gas, etc. is reduced due to heat loss caused by the increased contact area.

[0093] It is preferable that the number, shape, depth, width, length, etc. of the groove lines 213 are variably designed depending on the specifications of the battery cells 110, the characteristics of the heat generated, and attribute information such as the size, material, thickness, etc. of the guide plate 200.

[0094] 11, the guide plate 200 of the present invention may be provided with one or more protrusions 215 having a shape protruding outward from the inner side surface. In this manner, when the guide plate 200, specifically the first plate 210, has the protrusions 215, a physical blocking of thermal flow occurs in a complex manner, and thus an effect corresponding to the effect of the groove line 213 of the present invention described above is achieved.

[0095] A battery pack according to the present invention may include one or more of the battery modules according to the present invention described above. In addition to the battery module, the battery pack according to the present invention may further include various other components, such as a battery management system (BMS), bus bars, a pack case, a relay, a current sensor, and other components of a battery pack known at the time of filing of the present invention.

[0096] The battery module according to the present invention is applicable to automobiles such as electric automobiles and hybrid automobiles. That is, the automobile according to the present invention may include the battery module according to the present invention or the battery pack according to the present invention. Furthermore, the automobile according to the present invention may further include various other components included in the automobile in addition to the battery module or battery pack. For example, the automobile according to the present invention may further include a vehicle body, a motor, a control device such as an electronic control unit (ECU), etc. in addition to the battery module according to the present invention.

[0097] Although the present invention has been described above using limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, 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 equivalent scope of the technical concept of the present invention and the scope of the claims.

[0098] The accompanying drawings for describing the present invention and illustrating the embodiments thereof may be shown in a somewhat exaggerated form to emphasize or highlight the technical contents of the present invention, but it is to be understood that it is obvious that a wide variety of modified application forms can be adopted at the level of ordinary skilled in the art in consideration of the above-mentioned contents and illustrated matters.

[0099] Furthermore, in describing the present invention, it is self-evident that terms and phrases such as first, second, upper, lower, up and down, etc. are merely terms and phrases of a toolical concept used to relatively distinguish each component from each other, and are not terms or phrases used to indicate a specific order, priority, etc., or terms or phrases used to physically distinguish each component based on an absolute standard. [Explanation of symbols]

[0100] 10 Upper Frame 10A First Frame 10B Second Frame 11 Outlet 12 Ribs 13 Inlet 100 Cell Assembly 110 Battery Cell 200 Guide Plate 200A Left side guide plate 200B Right side guide plate 210 First Plate 211 Through hole 213 Groove Line 215 Protrusion 220 Second Plate 300 module case 320 Lower Plate 330 End Plate 330A Front Plate 330B Rear Plate 340 Left side plate 350 Right side plate 500 Heat shield plate 1000 Battery Module VC Vent Channel

Claims

1. A module case that forms an internal space; A plurality of battery cells accommodated in an internal space of the module case and arranged in at least one direction; a guide plate connected to at least one side surface of the module case and having a shape extending in an oblique direction; a battery module.

2. The module case includes: a side plate configured to cover both sides of the plurality of battery cells; The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the guide plate is connected to the side plate and extends in an oblique direction.

3. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the guide plate includes one or more through holes through which vent gas is discharged.

4. The battery module according to claim 3 , wherein the through-hole is formed at an end of an upper portion of the guide plate.

5. The guide plate is A first plate having an obliquely extending shape; a second plate connected to an upper portion of the first plate, disposed horizontally, and abutting an upper frame of a pack housing; The battery module of claim 1 .

6. The battery module according to claim 5 , wherein the second plate includes one or more through holes formed inwardly of a position of the first plate.

7. The battery module according to claim 6, wherein the through hole communicates with a vent channel formed inside the upper frame and is formed at a position corresponding to an inlet formed on a lower surface of the upper frame.

8. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the guide plate has one or more groove lines formed on an inner side surface thereof and extending in a horizontal direction.

9. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the guide plate has one or more protrusions protruding outward from an inner surface portion thereof.

10. A battery pack comprising the battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. A motor vehicle comprising a battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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