Fire-safe battery pack

Abstract

A battery pack according to the present invention may include a pack case having a plurality of module mounting areas separated by partitions, battery modules each having a sensor member that transmits a danger signal when a thermal event occurs and disposed in the module mounting areas, and a fire extinguishing unit configured to receive the danger signal and supply extinguishing water to the module mounting area in which a target battery module that transmitted the danger signal is located among the battery modules.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack, and more particularly to a battery pack that can prevent damage to other surrounding battery modules and prevent ignition of the specific battery module when a thermal event occurs in the specific battery module included in the battery pack.

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0106396 filed on August 24, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety in the specification and drawings. [Background technology]

[0003] Secondary batteries have attracted attention as a new energy source that is environmentally friendly and improves energy efficiency, since they not only have the temporary advantage of dramatically reducing the use of fossil fuels, but also have the advantage of producing absolutely no by-products associated with energy use.

[0004] For this reason, secondary batteries are increasingly being applied to a wide variety of devices. For example, they are widely used not only as energy sources for wireless mobile devices or wearable devices, which are multifunctional small products, but also as energy sources or energy storage systems (ESS) for electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles, which are presented as alternatives to existing gasoline and diesel vehicles.

[0005] Generally, the operating voltage of each secondary battery is about 2.5 V to 4.5 V. Therefore, in the case of electric vehicles and power storage devices that require large capacity and high output, a battery module in which a plurality of secondary batteries are connected in series and / or parallel, and a battery pack in which the battery modules are connected in series and / or parallel, are configured and used as an energy source.

[0006] As secondary batteries are used as large-capacity, high-output energy sources, ensuring the safety of the battery modules / packs has become an important issue.

[0007] Recent battery modules are designed to house as many secondary batteries as possible in a concentrated manner in order to improve energy density, so if an abnormality occurs in one of the secondary batteries and it ignites, it is likely that a thermal runaway phenomenon will occur, causing a chain reaction of fires to other secondary batteries nearby. For this reason, research efforts have been actively conducted recently on battery packs that include fire extinguishing systems to put out a fire in some secondary batteries before it spreads or spreads to other secondary batteries or battery modules to an uncontrollable extent.

[0008] However, in conventional battery pack fire extinguishing systems, the timing at which water is normally injected after a fire occurs in a battery module is often delayed, missing the initial golden time to prevent the spread of the fire. As a result, there is a high risk that the gas and flames will spread from the battery module where the incident occurred to other battery modules in the vicinity, causing the battery pack to burn out or explode very quickly, resulting in fatal damage to the user. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] The present invention has been created to solve the above problems, and its purpose is to provide a battery pack that can suppress ignition of a battery module in which a thermal event has occurred by quickly and intensively injecting fire extinguishing water into the battery module.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack capable of effectively suppressing a chain reaction of thermal runaway from a battery module in which a thermal event occurs to other battery modules.

[0011] 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]

[0012] According to the present invention, there may be provided a battery pack including: a pack case having a plurality of module mounting areas separated by partitions; battery modules each having a sensor member that transmits a danger signal when a thermal event occurs and arranged in the module mounting areas; and a fire extinguishing unit configured to receive the danger signal and supply extinguishing water to the module mounting area in which a target battery module that transmitted the danger signal is located among the battery modules.

[0013] The sensor member may include at least one of a temperature sensor that senses a change in temperature of the battery module and a gas sensor that senses a gas generated in the battery module.

[0014] The sensor member may be configured to transmit the danger signal to the fire extinguishing unit when a state in which a rate of change of temperature of the battery module (dT / dt)>1°C based on a preset threshold temperature continues for 3 seconds or more.

[0015] The extinguishing unit may include a fire extinguishing water storage tank arranged inside or outside the pack case, a plurality of fire extinguishing water supply pipes connecting the fire extinguishing water storage tank and each of the module mounting areas, and a control unit that controls the fire extinguishing water supply pipe connected to the module mounting area in which the target battery module is located to be selectively opened based on the danger signal.

[0016] The pack case may include a pack tray having a base portion supporting a lower portion of the battery module and a wall portion forming a wall along an outer peripheral edge of the base portion, and a pack cover covering an upper portion of the battery module and configured to be connectable to the pack tray.

[0017] Each of the module mounting areas may be configured on the pack tray so as to surround each of the battery modules with a partition wall that is higher than the battery module.

[0018] A passage may be provided between the opposing wall portion and the partition wall, and the fire extinguishing water supply pipe may be disposed in the passage.

[0019] The extinguishing water supply pipe may have a water injection port at one end, and the water injection port may be configured such that its front portion is inserted into a through hole formed in the partition wall and its rear portion is fixedly connected to the partition wall while sealing the through hole.

[0020] The battery module includes battery cells and a module case that houses the battery cells therein, and the module case may include a weak portion facing a front portion of the water injection port, the weak portion having a relatively lower mechanical rigidity than other portions.

[0021] The weakened portion may be thinner than the surrounding area and may be made from a non-metallic material.

[0022] The module case may include a metal mesh net at least in one of a front portion and a rear portion of the weak portion.

[0023] The battery module includes a battery cell and a module case that houses the battery cell therein, and the module case has a water inlet hole on an upper side that covers an upper portion of the battery cell, and the water inlet hole and the water inlet port can be connected by an extension hose within the module mounting area.

[0024] The base portion may include a cooling unit through which cooling water can flow, and the cooling unit may include a plurality of zone-unit cooling pipes arranged at positions corresponding to lower regions of each of the module mounting areas, and a coolant control valve that controls the flow rate of each of the zone-unit cooling pipes.

[0025] The battery pack may be configured such that the coolant control valve is selectively opened and closed based on a danger signal transmitted from the sensor member to increase a flow rate of cooling water to the zonal cooling pipe corresponding to the module mounting zone in which the other surrounding battery modules adjacent to the target battery module are located.

[0026] The battery pack may include a pack case having a plurality of module mounting areas separated by partitions, battery modules each having a sensor member that transmits a danger signal when a thermal event occurs and arranged in the module mounting areas, and a cooling unit that selectively cools only the module mounting area in which other surrounding battery modules adjacent to a target battery module that transmitted the danger signal are located among the battery modules.

[0027] The pack case may include a pack tray having a base portion supporting a lower portion of the battery module and a wall portion forming a wall along an outer peripheral edge of the base portion, and the cooling unit may include a plurality of zone-unit cooling pipes arranged inside the base portion at positions corresponding to lower regions of each of the module mounting areas, and a coolant control valve for controlling a flow rate of each of the zone-unit cooling pipes.

[0028] The battery pack may be configured such that the coolant control valve is selectively opened and closed based on a danger signal transmitted from the sensor member to increase a flow rate of cooling water to the zonal cooling pipe corresponding to the module mounting zone in which the other surrounding battery modules adjacent to the target battery module are located.

[0029] The battery pack may further include a cooling chiller that supplies cooling water to the zone unit cooling pipe, and the cooling chiller may include a control unit that receives a danger signal from the sensor member and selectively opens and closes the coolant control valve.

[0030] The battery pack may include a pack case having a plurality of module mounting areas separated by partitions, battery modules each arranged in the module mounting areas and each having a sensor member that transmits a danger signal when a thermal event occurs, and a cooling unit that cools the entire module mounting area based on the danger signal transmitted from at least one of the battery modules.

[0031] According to another aspect of the invention, there may be provided a vehicle including a battery pack as described above. Effect of the Invention

[0032] According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide a battery pack that can quickly and intensively inject fire extinguishing water into a battery module where a thermal event has occurred, thereby preventing gas and flames from spreading to other surrounding battery modules.

[0033] In particular, according to the present invention, by pouring fire extinguishing water into the module mounting area in which the target battery module is housed to flood the target battery module before the ignition of the target battery module in which a thermal event has occurred intensifies, it is possible to more effectively suppress the ignition and prevent the propagation of thermal runaway to other battery modules.

[0034] In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, since fire extinguishing water is not injected into the module mounting area in which battery modules without a danger signal are accommodated, battery modules other than the target battery module are not damaged by flooding, and therefore the battery modules other than the target battery module can be reused.

[0035] Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to intensively cool the battery modules around the battery module where a thermal event occurs, thereby effectively suppressing a chain reaction of thermal runaway.

[0036] Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the present invention, when a thermal event occurs inside the battery pack, all battery modules can be cooled based on a danger signal from the sensor member, thereby effectively preventing a chain reaction of thermal runaway.

[0037] The effects of the present invention are in no way limited to the effects described above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains from this specification and the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0038] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an alternative example of the battery pack of FIG. 2, in which all fire extinguishing units are disposed inside the pack case. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a portion of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the metal mesh screen of FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 5 and is a diagram illustrating a structure for injecting fire extinguishing water applied to a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 1 is a reference diagram for explaining a fire extinguishing system for a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 9] 1 is a reference diagram for explaining a fire extinguishing system for a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 10] 13 is a diagram illustrating a battery pack according to yet another embodiment of the present invention, which is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a cooling unit disposed inside a base portion of a pack tray. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a reference diagram for explaining a cooling system using the battery pack in FIG. [Figure 12] 11 is a reference diagram illustrating a cooling system for a battery pack according to still another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle including a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0039] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 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 in order to best describe the invention.

[0040] 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.

[0041] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] The battery pack 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a pack case 100 having a plurality of module mounting areas 120, battery modules 200 respectively arranged in the module mounting areas 120, and a fire extinguishing unit 300 for injecting fire extinguishing water in the event of a fire occurring in the battery modules 200.

[0043] The pack case 100 may have an empty space therein and may accommodate a plurality of battery modules 200. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pack case 100 may include a pack tray 110 and a pack cover 130. The pack tray 110 may be formed in a box shape with an open upper end and may accommodate the battery modules 200 in the internal space. More specifically, the pack tray 110 may include a base part 111 supporting a lower part of the battery module 200, and a wall part 112 forming a wall along an outer periphery of the base part 111. The pack cover 130 may be bolted to a fastening groove T1 disposed at an upper end of the wall part 112 of the pack tray 110 to be coupled to the pack tray 110, and may be formed in a lid shape to cover the upper part of all the battery modules 200.

[0044] Furthermore, the pack case 100 may have a module mounting area 120 therein. For example, as in the embodiment of Fig. 2, six module mounting areas 120 separated by partitions 121 may be provided inside the pack tray 110, and at least one battery module 200 may be disposed in each module mounting area 120. Each of the module mounting areas 120 may be configured to surround each of the battery modules 200 with a partition 121 that is higher than the battery module 200.

[0045] For reference, although not shown for ease of drawing, the battery modules 200 may be electrically connected to each other by components such as flexible bus bars (not shown), and the flexible bus bars may be disposed to penetrate the partition wall 121. Depending on the electrical capacity or output required for the battery pack 10, the battery pack 10 may include less than five or seven or more battery modules 200, and the size of the pack case 100 and the number of module mounting areas 120 may be determined accordingly.

[0046] The pack cover 130 and the partition wall 121 may be configured such that an upper end of the partition wall 121 contacts an inner surface of the pack cover 130. In this case, as in the upper end of the pack tray 110, a fastening groove capable of fastening a bolt may be formed in the upper end of the partition wall 121 as shown by "T1" in FIG. 2. In this case, when the pack tray 110 and the pack cover 130 are assembled, the bolts may be fastened not only to the outer periphery of the pack cover 130 but also to the center region of the pack cover 130, so that the fastening between the pack cover 130 and the pack tray 110 may be strengthened. In addition, the upper portion of each module mounting area 120 may be more tightly shielded by the pack cover 130, so that the sealing of the module mounting area 120 may be improved.

[0047] According to the above-described configuration of the present invention, the battery modules 200 are each arranged in a module mounting area 120 separated by a partition wall 121, so that even if an accident such as a fire occurs in a specific battery module 200, the other battery modules 200 can be protected from gas and flames generated in the specific battery module 200.

[0048] The battery module 200 can be said to be an energy storage device in which a plurality of battery cells 210 are electrically connected to have a predetermined capacity and output. The battery module 200 may include components such as a bus bar for electrically connecting the battery cells 210 to each other, a component for sensing the voltage of the battery cells 210, and a module case 220 capable of accommodating the components including the battery cells 210 together.

[0049] The battery cell 210 may be any type of battery cell 210 known at the time of filing of the present invention. For example, the battery module 200 may be any type of battery cell 210, such as a generally cylindrical or rectangular battery cell 210 in which an electrode assembly and an electrolyte are hermetically housed in a metal can-type exterior material, or a generally plate-shaped pouch-type battery cell 210 in which an electrode assembly and an electrolyte are hermetically housed in a pouch-type exterior material.

[0050] The module case 220 is a structure for supporting the battery cells 210 so as not to move and for protecting them from external impacts, etc., and may be made of a material having high mechanical rigidity. In this embodiment, the module case 220 may be provided in a roughly rectangular box shape including four side parts 221 covering the front, rear, left and right sides of the battery cells 210, and an upper part 222 and a lower part covering the upper and lower parts of the battery cells 210.

[0051] In particular, the battery module 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a sensor member 230. The sensor member 230 may include at least one of a temperature sensor that senses a change in temperature of the battery module 200 and a gas sensor that senses a gas generated in the battery module 200.

[0052] The sensor member 230 may be provided so as to be attachable to the outside or inside of the module case 220. The sensor member 230 may be configured to transmit a danger signal to an external device wirelessly from the fire extinguishing unit 300 when a thermal event occurs in the battery module 200. Here, the external device refers to the control unit 330 of the fire extinguishing unit 300. The external device may include, for example, an electronic control unit (ECU) of an electric vehicle equipped with the battery pack 10 of the present invention. In this case, an alarm sound and an alarm message may be output from a display in the vehicle by the ECU based on the danger signal, allowing the driver to take a prompt action.

[0053] Meanwhile, the fire extinguishing unit 300 is configured to receive a danger signal from the sensor member 230 and supply fire extinguishing water to the module mounting area 120 where the target battery module 200 in which a thermal event has occurred is located.

[0054] Such a fire extinguishing unit 300 may include a fire extinguishing water storage tank 310, a plurality of fire extinguishing water supply pipes 320, and a control unit 330, as shown in FIG.

[0055] The extinguishing water storage tank 310 contains extinguishing water therein, and may be disposed inside or outside the pack case 100. For example, the extinguishing water storage tank 310 may be provided outside the pack case 100 as shown in Fig. 2, in which case the extinguishing water supply pipe 320 may extend from the extinguishing water storage tank 310 through the pack case 100 to each module mounting area 120 inside the pack case 100.

[0056] Meanwhile, the fire extinguishing unit 300A according to the embodiment of Fig. 3 is an alternative example of the fire extinguishing unit 300 according to the embodiment of Fig. 2, and the fire extinguishing water storage tank 310 and the control unit 330 may be disposed inside the pack case 100. That is, the fire extinguishing unit 300A may be integrally accommodated inside the pack case 100.

[0057] The extinguishing water storage tank 310 may include a water supply pump (not shown) and a control valve (not shown) and may be configured to selectively supply extinguishing water to the plurality of extinguishing water supply pipes 320. For example, if a danger signal is received from one of the module mounting areas 120, the control valve may be operated to open a specific extinguishing water supply pipe 320 connected to the module mounting area 120, and the water supply pump may be operated to supply extinguishing water to the specific extinguishing water supply pipe 320. As an alternative to the water supply pump, a nitrogen tank (not shown) may be connected to the extinguishing water storage tank 310. For example, when a danger signal is received, the valve of the nitrogen tank may be opened to spray nitrogen into the extinguishing water storage tank 310, and at this time, the pressure of the nitrogen gas may cause extinguishing water to be supplied from the extinguishing water storage tank 310 to the extinguishing water supply pipe 320.

[0058] The control unit 330 may be configured to control, for example, opening and closing of a water supply pump, a valve of a nitrogen tank, or the control valve. The control unit 330 may also be configured to selectively open only the extinguishing water supply pipe 320 connected to the module mounting area 120 in which the target battery module 200 is located based on a danger signal received from the sensor member 230, so that extinguishing water is supplied from the extinguishing water storage tank 310. The control unit 330 may selectively include a processor, application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), other chipsets, logic circuits, registers, communication modems, data processing devices, and the like, as known in the art.

[0059] 2 to 4, the extinguishing water supply pipe 320 may be configured such that one end is connected to the extinguishing water storage tank 310 and the other end is connected to the corresponding module mounting area 120. In particular, the battery pack 10 according to the present embodiment may be configured such that a passage P is provided between the wall portion 112 and the partition wall 121 facing each other inside the pack case 100, and the extinguishing water supply pipe 320 can be arranged along the passage P. Meanwhile, in the drawings of the present embodiment, the width of the extinguishing water supply pipe 320 and the passage P is shown relatively larger than that of the surrounding components in order to highlight the main components, but the passage is designed to be, for example, 10 cm or less, and the extinguishing water supply pipe 320 may also be configured to be arranged so as to overlap each other in the passage P in the up-down direction (±Z direction) rather than in the left-right direction (±X direction). This allows the battery pack 10 to be made lighter and thinner.

[0060] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the battery pack 10 may accommodate six battery modules 200 in two rows of three each in six module mounting areas 120 so as to be isolated from each other, and the extinguishing water storage tank 310 may be disposed in front of the six module mounting areas 120 (in the -Y direction). Six extinguishing water supply pipes 320 may be used to connect the extinguishing water storage tank 310 to the six module mounting areas 120. For example, one battery module 200 is accommodated in each of the three module mounting areas 120 located on the left side of the extinguishing water storage tank 310, and one extinguishing water supply pipe 320 is connected to each of the three module mounting areas 120 located on the right side of the extinguishing water storage tank 310. One battery module 200 is also accommodated in each of the three module mounting areas 120 located on the right side of the extinguishing water storage tank 310, and one extinguishing water supply pipe 320 is connected to each of the three module mounting areas 120.

[0061] 4, the battery modules 200A, 200B, and 200C are accommodated in the first module mounting area 120A on the right side closest to the extinguishing water storage tank 310, the second module mounting area 120B on the right side, and the third module mounting area 120C on the right side. The first extinguishing water supply pipe 320 on the right side indicated by "R1" is connected to the first module mounting area 120A on the right side, the second extinguishing water supply pipe 320 on the right side indicated by "R2" is connected to the second module mounting area 120B on the right side, and the third extinguishing water supply pipe 320 on the right side indicated by "R3" is connected to the third module mounting area 120C on the right side. In this manner, the three module mounting areas 120 located on the left side can also be connected to the extinguishing water supply pipe 320, respectively.

[0062] Also, referring to FIG. 5, the fire extinguishing water supply pipe 320 may include a piping hose 321 and a water injection port 323 coupled to the piping hose 321 by an interference fit.

[0063] The shape and material of the piping hose 321 are not particularly limited, but it is preferable that the piping hose 321 is made of a fire-resistant material such as silicon, which is also flexible.

[0064] The water injection port 323 may be made of metal or a non-metallic material having high mechanical rigidity, and may be provided so as to be partially fitted into the module mounting area 120 and firmly fixedly coupled to the partition wall 121. That is, as shown in Fig. 5, the water injection port 323 may be configured so that a front portion 323a is fitted into a through hole formed in the partition wall 121 and a rear portion 323b is fixedly coupled to the partition wall 121 with the through hole being sealed.

[0065] A flange portion 323c is provided at a rear portion 323b of the water injection port 323, the insertion of which into the through hole is restricted, and the flange portion may be configured to be fixed to the partition wall 121 by tightening a bolt B2. As shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 5, the flange portion 323c may include a groove formed in the direction of the head of the bolt B2, and a rubber O-ring O may be interposed in the groove. With this configuration, the water injection port 323 may be airtightly and firmly mounted to the partition wall 121, and the water injection port 323 may not come off the partition wall 121 despite strong water pressure, so that the fire extinguishing water may be stably injected into the module mounting area 120. As a result, the module mounting area 120 may be filled with fire extinguishing water, causing the battery module 200 to become submerged, and thus preventing fire.

[0066] Returning to FIG. 5, the module case 220 of the battery module 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a weak part 224 at a position facing the front part 323a of the water injection port 323. The weak part 224 is a part of the module case that is provided to have the lowest mechanical rigidity. The weak part 224 is thinner than the surrounding area and may be made of a non-metallic material. For example, the weak part 224 may be made of a plastic material that breaks or melts when a certain amount of water pressure or heat and gas pressure is applied.

[0067] In this manner, when the portion of the module case 220 facing the front portion 323a of the water injection port 323 is the above-mentioned weak portion 224, the weak portion 224 can be broken by water pressure. As a result, a hole is formed in the side portion 221 of the module case 220, and the fire extinguishing water can be directly injected into the inside of the battery module 200 through the hole. Then, the fire extinguishing water can be filled more quickly into the internal space of the module case 220, and the ignition of the battery module 200 can be more effectively suppressed.

[0068] 5 and 6, the module case 220 of the battery module 200 includes metal mesh nets 225 and 226 at least one of the front and rear of the weak part 224. When gas, flame, and sparks are emitted from the battery cell 210, the metal mesh nets 225 and 226 prevent the flame and sparks from easily discharging to the outside of the module case 220 even if the weak part 224 is burned, thereby preventing the flame and sparks from scattering from the module mounting area 120 and protecting the water injection port 323 from heat damage. Here, the sparks refer to high-temperature electrode plate fragments or electrode active material detached from the electrode assembly inside the battery cell 210.

[0069] Meanwhile, FIG. 7 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 5 and is a diagram illustrating a structure for injecting fire extinguishing water applied to a battery pack 10 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0070] The same component numbers as those in the previously described embodiment indicate the same components, and duplicated descriptions of the same components will be omitted, with the focus being on the differences from the previously described embodiment.

[0071] 7, a module case 220 of a battery module 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a water inlet hole 222a in an upper side 222 covering an upper portion of a battery cell 210. In addition, an extension hose EP connecting the water inlet hole 222a and a water inlet port 323 is further provided inside the module mounting area 120.

[0072] According to the embodiment configuration as shown in Fig. 7, the fire extinguishing water can be directly injected into the inside of the module case 220 through the water injection hole 222a arranged on the upper side 222 of the module case 220. The above-mentioned embodiment has an advantage that the fire extinguishing water can be injected into the inside of the module case 220 through a hole formed after the weak part 224 is burned, but there is a problem that when a hole is formed in the side part 221 of the module case 220 and the water level rises inside the module case 220, the fire extinguishing water is discharged again to the outside of the module case 220 through the hole. However, according to the configuration of this embodiment, the fire extinguishing water is injected into the inside of the module case 220 through the water injection hole 222a arranged on the upper side 222 of the module case 220, so that the problem of the above-mentioned embodiment can be solved.

[0073] 8 and 9 are reference diagrams for explaining a fire extinguishing system of a battery pack 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0074] Next, a fire extinguishing system for the battery pack 10 according to the present invention will be briefly described with reference to FIGS.

[0075] 8, when a thermal event occurs in the second battery module 200 on the right side, the sensor member 230 of the battery module 200 transmits a danger signal to the control unit 330 of the fire extinguishing unit 300. That is, in FIG. 8, a danger signal is emitted from the second sensor member 230 and transmitted to the control unit 330 of the fire extinguishing unit 300.

[0076] At this time, the sensor member 230 may be configured to transmit the danger signal to the fire extinguishing unit 300 when a state in which a rate of change in temperature of the battery module 200 (dT / dt)>1° C. based on a preset threshold temperature continues for 3 seconds or more. Here, the preset threshold temperature may refer to the highest value within a temperature range of the battery module 200 that is considered normal when the battery cell 210 is charged or discharged.

[0077] When the state where the rate of change of temperature of the battery module 200 (dT / dt)>1° C. based on the preset threshold temperature continues for 3 seconds or more, the possibility of the battery module 200 catching fire increases as time passes. Therefore, the sensor member 230 may be configured to transmit a danger signal to the fire extinguishing unit 300 if the above conditions are met so that extinguishing water can be preemptively injected immediately before the battery module 200 catching fire.

[0078] Based on the danger signal of the second sensor member 230, the control unit 330 of the fire extinguishing unit 300 is activated to selectively open only the second fire extinguishing water supply pipe 320 on the right side, which corresponds to "R2" in FIG. 6, among the six fire extinguishing water supply pipes 320, and the fire extinguishing water from the fire extinguishing water storage tank 310 is injected into the target battery module 200, i.e., the module mounting area 120 where the second battery module 200B on the right side is located.

[0079] As a result, the target battery module 200 in the module mounting area 120 is submerged, suppressing ignition and preventing the spread of gas and flames to other adjacent battery modules 200. In addition, since fire extinguishing water is not poured into the module mounting area 120 in which other battery modules 200 are housed, the other battery modules 200 other than the target battery module 200B are not damaged by flooding.

[0080] 9, if danger signals are simultaneously transmitted from the second sensor member 230 of the second right battery module 200B and the third sensor member 230 of the third right battery module 200C, the danger signals of the second sensor member 230 and the third sensor member 230 may be transmitted to the control unit 330 of the fire extinguishing unit 300. In this case, the control unit 33 of the fire extinguishing unit 300 selectively opens only the second right extinguishing water supply pipe 320 and the third right extinguishing water supply pipe 320 corresponding to "R2" and "R3" in FIG. 6 among the six extinguishing water supply pipes 320 based on the two danger signals, so that extinguishing water is supplied to the module mounting area 120 where the second right battery module 200B and the third right battery module 200C are located, respectively. As a result, the module mounting area 120 is filled with fire-extinguishing water, making it possible to suppress ignition of the target battery modules 200B and 200C.

[0081] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a battery pack 10 according to yet another embodiment of the present invention, which diagrammatically illustrates the configuration of a cooling unit 111a disposed inside a base portion 111 of a pack tray 110, and FIG. 11 is a reference diagram for explaining a cooling system using the battery pack 10 of FIG. 10.

[0082] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the pack tray 110 of the battery pack 10 includes a cooling unit 111a through which cooling water can flow. The cooling unit 111a may be built into the base 111 of the pack tray 110.

[0083] For example, the cooling unit 111a may include a plurality of zone-based cooling pipes 111b (A to F) arranged at positions corresponding to the lower regions of each of the module mounting areas 120, as shown in FIG. 10, and a coolant control valve 111c for controlling the flow rate of each of the zone-based cooling pipes 111b.

[0084] In addition, the cooling unit 111a may be configured to selectively cool only the module mounting area 120 of the battery modules 200 in which the other battery modules adjacent to the target battery module that transmitted the danger signal are located.

[0085] For example, the cooling unit 111a according to the present embodiment includes six zone-unit cooling pipes 111b (A to F), and the six zone-unit cooling pipes 111b (A to F) are embedded in the base part 111 located below the six module mounting areas 120, respectively. Cooling water is supplied to the zone-unit cooling pipes 111b (A to F) to cool the module mounting areas 120 and absorb heat from the battery modules 200.

[0086] The cooling unit 111a may be connected to a cooling chiller (not shown) disposed outside the pack case 100. The cooling water may be circulated in such a manner that the cooling water is heated by absorbing heat from the battery modules 200 in the pack tray 110, cooled in the cooling chiller, and returned to the pack tray 110. Here, the cooling chiller refers to a device that removes heat from the cooling water.

[0087] Meanwhile, the cooling unit 111a according to another embodiment of the present invention may be configured to allow coolant to flow through all the zone-unit cooling pipes 111b during normal times, i.e., when there is no danger signal from the sensor member 230. However, when a danger signal is sent from the sensor member 230, the cooling unit 111a may be configured to transmit the danger signal to a control unit (not shown) disposed in the cooling chiller, and the control unit may selectively open and close the coolant control valve 111c based on the danger signal to increase the flow rate of coolant to the zone-unit cooling pipes 111b located under another module mounting area 120 adjacent to the module mounting area 120 of the target battery module 200. As a result, when a thermal event occurs, the flow rate of coolant may be concentrated in a specific zone-unit cooling pipe 111b.

[0088] 11, if a thermal event occurs in the second left battery module 200 and a danger signal is sent from the fifth sensor member 230, the control unit 330 selectively opens and closes the coolant control valve 111c based on the danger signal to increase the flow rate of cooling water to the zone unit cooling pipes 111b (B, D, F) that cool the second left battery module 200 and the other battery modules 200 adjacent to it. That is, the coolant control valves 111c of the zone unit cooling pipes 111b indicated by 111b(B), 111b(D), and 111b(F) in FIG. 11 are opened, and the coolant control valves 111c of the remaining zone unit cooling pipes 111b are closed. As a result, cooling water circulates only through the area-unit cooling pipes 111b indicated by 111b(B), 111b(D), and 111b(F) in FIG. 11, enabling the module mounting area 120 and the battery module 200 located above the area-unit cooling pipes 111b to be cooled in a concentrated manner.

[0089] For reference, if the pack tray 110 continues to be exposed to high-temperature gas and flames when the battery module 200 ignites, the surrounding battery modules 200 in the vicinity of the battery module 200 where the incident occurred are thermally affected by the accumulated heat, and if this intensifies, there is a high possibility of a chain reaction in which the surrounding battery modules 200 also ignite. However, according to the cooling system of the present invention as described above, it is possible to intensively cool the area around the battery module 200 where the incident occurred, and to prevent heat from spreading around the battery module 200 where the incident occurred, and to effectively prevent the structure of the pack case 100 from collapsing due to heat.

[0090] Meanwhile, the above-mentioned cooling unit 111a may be incorporated into the battery pack including the above-mentioned fire extinguishing unit 300. That is, the battery pack 10 according to the present invention may be configured to include both the fire extinguishing unit 300 and the cooling unit 111a. In this case, when a thermal event occurs in a battery module 200 included in the battery pack 10, the fire in the battery module 200 can be quickly extinguished, and the spread of thermal runaway to other surrounding battery modules can be more effectively prevented.

[0091] FIG. 12 is a reference diagram for explaining a cooling system for a battery pack according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[0092] A battery pack according to yet another embodiment of the present invention has a similar main configuration to the battery pack according to the embodiment of FIG. 10, but differs in that a cooling unit 111a is configured to cool all battery modules when a risk of internal fire in the battery pack is detected.

[0093] For example, as shown in FIG. 12, a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention may be configured such that, when an emergency signal is transmitted from the sensor member 230 of at least one of the battery modules 200, cooling water flows to the section unit cooling pipes 111b (A to F) corresponding to all the module mounting sections 120 based on the emergency signal.

[0094] In this case, not only is the chain reaction of thermal runaway from the battery module where the thermal event occurred to other battery modules suppressed, but the speed of fire in the battery module where the event occurred is significantly slowed down, so that the driver of an electric vehicle including such a battery pack can sense an accident such as a fire in the battery pack and have enough time to evacuate to a safe place or take necessary measures.

[0095] Next, referring to FIG. 13, a brief description will be given of a vehicle according to the present invention.

[0096] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle including a battery pack 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0097] 13, an automobile 1 according to the present invention may include the above-described battery pack 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, an electronic control unit (ECU) 20, an inverter 30, and a motor 40. Preferably, the automobile 1 may be an electric vehicle.

[0098] The battery pack 10 can be used as an electric energy source that provides driving force to the motor 40 to drive the automobile 1. The battery pack 10 can be charged and discharged by the inverter 30 in response to the driving of the motor 40 and / or an internal combustion engine (not shown). The battery pack 10 can be charged by a regenerative charging device coupled to a brake. The battery pack 10 can be electrically connected to the motor 40 of the automobile via the inverter 30.

[0099] The ECU 20 is an electromagnetic control device that controls the state of the automobile 1. For example, the ECU 20 determines torque information based on information such as accelerator, brake, and speed, and controls the output of the motor 40 to match the torque information. The ECU 20 also sends a control signal to the inverter 30 so that the battery pack 10 can be charged or discharged based on state information such as a state of charge (SOC) and a state of health (SOH) of the battery pack 10 received from a battery management system (BMS). The inverter 30 charges or discharges the battery pack 10 based on the control signal of the ECU 20. The motor 40 drives the automobile 1 using the electric energy of the battery pack 10 based on control information (e.g., torque information) received from the ECU 20.

[0100] As described above, the battery pack 10 normally maintains the temperature of the battery module 200 at a moderate level, and when a thermal event occurs in the battery module 200, the battery module 200 where the thermal event has occurred can be quickly submerged in water to suppress a fire. Therefore, safety is maintained even if a trouble or defect occurs in the battery pack 10 while the automobile 1 is running.

[0101] Although the present invention has been described above using limited embodiments and drawings, the technical concept of the present invention is in no way limited thereto, and it goes without saying that a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains can make various modifications and variations within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention and the equivalent scope of the claims.

[0102] Meanwhile, although directional terms such as up, down, left, and right are used in this specification, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art of the present invention that these terms are used merely for ease of explanation and may vary depending on the position of the object in question, the position of the observer, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0103] 1. Automobiles 10 Battery Pack 30 Inverter 33 Control Unit 40 Motor 100 pack case 110 Pack Tray 111 Base 111a Cooling unit 111b Area unit cooling pipe 111c Coolant control valve 112 Wall part 120 Module loading area 120A module mounting area 120B Module Mounting Area 120C Module installation area 121 Bulkhead 130 Pack Cover 200 Target Battery Module 200A Battery Module 200B Target Battery Module 200C Target Battery Module 210 Battery Cells 220 Module Case 221 Side part 222 Upper part 222a Water injection hole 224 Soft area 225 Metal Mesh Netting 226 Metal Mesh Netting 230 Sensor components 300 Fire extinguishing unit 300A Fire Extinguishing Unit 310 Fire water storage tank 320 Fire extinguishing water supply pipe 321 Plumbing hose 323 Water Injection Port 323a Anterior part 323b Posterior part 323c Flange 330 Control Unit

Claims

1. a pack case having a plurality of module mounting areas separated by partitions; battery modules each having a sensor member for transmitting a danger signal when a thermal event occurs, the battery modules being disposed in the module mounting area; a fire extinguishing unit configured to receive the danger signal and supply fire extinguishing water to the module mounting area in which a target battery module that has transmitted the danger signal is located among the battery modules; Including the battery pack.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor member includes at least one of a temperature sensor that senses a change in temperature of the battery module and a gas sensor that senses a gas generated in the battery module.

3. 2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the sensor member is configured to transmit the danger signal to the fire extinguishing unit when a state in which a rate of change of temperature of the battery module (dT / dt)>1° C. based on a preset threshold temperature continues for 3 seconds or more.

4. The fire extinguishing unit includes: A fire extinguishing water storage tank disposed inside or outside the pack case; A plurality of fire extinguishing water supply pipes connecting the fire extinguishing water storage tank and each of the module mounting areas; a control unit that selectively controls so that only the fire extinguishing water supply pipe connected to the module mounting area where the target battery module is located is opened based on the danger signal; 10. The battery pack of claim 1 , comprising:

5. The pack case includes: a pack tray including a base portion supporting a lower portion of the battery module and a wall portion forming a wall along an outer periphery of the base portion; a pack cover that covers an upper portion of the battery module and is provided so as to be connectable to the pack tray; 5. The battery pack of claim 4, comprising:

6. 6. The battery pack according to claim 5, wherein each of the module mounting areas is configured on the pack tray to surround each of the battery modules with a partition wall that is higher than the battery module.

7. The battery pack according to claim 5 , wherein a passage is provided between the opposing wall portion and the partition wall, and the fire extinguishing water supply pipe is disposed in the passage.

8. The fire extinguishing water supply pipe has a water injection port at one end, 6. The battery pack according to claim 5, wherein the water injection port has a front portion inserted into a through hole formed in the partition wall and a rear portion fixedly coupled to the partition wall while sealing the through hole.

9. The battery module includes a battery cell and a module case that houses the battery cell therein, The battery pack according to claim 8 , wherein the module case has a weak portion that is located in a portion facing the front portion of the water injection port and has a mechanical rigidity that is relatively lower than that of other portions.

10. 10. The battery pack of claim 9, wherein the weakened portion is thinner than the surrounding area of ​​the weakened portion and is made of a non-metallic material.

11. The battery pack according to claim 9 , wherein the module case is provided with a metal mesh net at least in one of a front portion and a rear portion of the weak portion.

12. The battery module includes a battery cell and a module case that houses the battery cell therein, the module case has a water injection hole in an upper portion covering an upper portion of the battery cell; The battery pack according to claim 8 , wherein the water inlet hole and the water inlet port are connected by an extension hose within the module mounting area.

13. The base portion includes a cooling unit through which cooling water can flow, The cooling unit comprises:

6. The battery pack according to claim 5, further comprising: a plurality of zone unit cooling pipes arranged at positions corresponding to lower regions of the respective module mounting areas; and a coolant control valve for controlling a flow rate of each of the zone unit cooling pipes.

14. 14. The battery pack according to claim 13, wherein the coolant control valve is selectively opened and closed based on a danger signal transmitted from the sensor member to increase a flow rate of cooling water to the zonal cooling pipe corresponding to the module mounting zone in which the other surrounding battery modules adjacent to the target battery module are located.

15. a pack case having a plurality of module mounting areas separated by partitions; battery modules each having a sensor member for transmitting a danger signal when a thermal event occurs, the battery modules being disposed in the module mounting area; a cooling unit that selectively cools only the module mounting area where the other battery modules adjacent to the target battery module that has transmitted the danger signal are located among the battery modules; Including the battery pack.

16. the pack case includes a base portion supporting a lower portion of the battery module, and a pack tray including a wall portion forming a wall along an outer periphery of the base portion, The cooling unit is disposed inside the base portion, a plurality of zone unit cooling pipes arranged at positions corresponding to lower regions of the module mounting zones, through which cooling water can flow; a coolant control valve for controlling a flow rate of each of the zone unit cooling pipes; 16. The battery pack of claim 15, comprising:

17. 17. The battery pack according to claim 16, wherein the coolant control valve is selectively opened and closed based on a danger signal transmitted from the sensor member to increase a flow rate of cooling water to the zonal cooling pipe corresponding to the module mounting zone in which the other surrounding battery modules adjacent to the target battery module are located.

18. The cooling system further includes a cooling chiller for supplying cooling water to the zone unit cooling pipe, 18. The battery pack of claim 17, wherein the cooling chiller includes a controller that receives a danger signal from the sensor member and selectively opens and closes the coolant control valve.

19. a pack case having a plurality of module mounting areas separated by partitions; battery modules each having a sensor member for transmitting a danger signal when a thermal event occurs, the battery modules being disposed in the module mounting area; a cooling unit configured to cool the entire module mounting area based on the danger signal transmitted from at least one of the battery modules; Including the battery pack.

20. 20. A motor vehicle comprising a battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 19.

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