Battery pack and device including the same

Abstract

A battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of cell units each including at least one battery cell and a cell cover that wraps and supports the at least one battery cell, and a pack case that houses and supports the plurality of cell units in an internal space. The cell cover includes a pair of side cover portions that cover one side surface and the other side surface of the at least one battery cell, and a cap portion that connects the pair of side cover portions and covers an upper end portion of the at least one battery cell. At an end portion in the longitudinal direction of the cell cover, the cell cover further includes a gas barrier portion disposed adjacent to the cap portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] [Cross - Reference to Related Applications] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10 - 2022 - 0110389 filed on August 31, 2022 and Korean Patent Application No. 10 - 2023 - 0113516 filed on August 29, 2023, and all the contents disclosed in the literature of the Korean patent applications are included as part of this specification.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery pack and a device including the same, and more specifically, to a battery pack and a device including the same that can suppress the movement of venting gas in the upward direction of the battery pack when a thermal event occurs in the battery pack.

Background Art

[0003] Generally, a secondary battery refers to a battery that can be repeatedly charged and discharged, such as a lithium - ion battery, a lithium - polymer battery, a nickel - cadmium battery, a nickel - metal hydride battery, a nickel - zinc battery, etc.

[0004] Recently, secondary batteries have been applied to devices that require a high output voltage and a large charge capacity, such as electric vehicles and ESSs (Energy Storage Systems). A battery pack is manufactured by connecting a plurality of battery cells in series or parallel to form a battery module, and then connecting a large number of such configured battery modules in series or parallel again, and is widely used.

[0005] In the case of an electric vehicle, the number of lithium secondary batteries in one battery module or the number of battery modules in one battery pack can be increased according to the required output and capacity of the battery pack.

[0006] On one hand, as an example, a battery module of an electric vehicle battery pack is mounted on a pack case, which includes battery cells, a bus bar frame for electrically connecting the battery cells, and a module housing capable of integrally accommodating the battery cells and the bus bar frame. Generally, the pack case is provided with a plurality of beam frames to ensure durability against impacts and vibrations. Here, the beam frame extends from one side wall surface of the pack case and is coupled to the other side wall surface, and can play a role in suppressing warping and deformation of the pack case. The battery module is disposed in the internal space of the pack case partitioned by the beam frame, and can be fixedly coupled to the pack case with bolts or the like respectively.

[0007] However, in the case of a battery pack housing the battery module as described above, when assembling the battery module into the pack case, the battery modules cannot be arranged in complete contact with each other structurally, and there is a spatial gap between the battery modules. In particular, since the module housing of the battery module acts as a factor reducing the energy density per unit volume of the battery pack, there is a problem that there is a limit to increasing the energy capacity of the battery pack.

[0008] Therefore, recently, as part of efforts to increase the energy capacity of the battery pack, a CTP (Cell To Pack, which means a method of directly assembling battery cells into the case of the battery pack by omitting the battery module unit) type of battery pack is under research and development.

[0009] However, in an electric vehicle battery pack, when a thermal event such as internal ignition occurs, the degree of danger to the occupants can vary depending on the direction in which the flame and venting gas can be induced to be discharged. For example, an electric vehicle battery pack is generally disposed below the front and rear magnets of the vehicle. However, if a thermal event occurs in the battery pack and the venting gas is discharged vertically upward from the battery pack at this time, the possibility that the vehicle occupants inhale the venting gas becomes very high, which can be fatally dangerous.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0010] The problem to be solved by the present invention is that a pouch-type battery cell can be stored in a packing case with high space efficiency, has a higher energy density than a conventional battery pack, simplifies the assembly process, reduces the overall weight and volume, increases the energy density, and suppresses the upward movement of venting gas and guides it in a specific direction to ensure the safety of the user in the event of a thermal event. It is to provide a battery pack and a device including the same.

[0011] However, the problems to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and other problems not described can be extended to the extent clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the present invention.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0012] A battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of cell units each including at least one battery cell and a cell cover that wraps and supports the at least one battery cell, and a pack case that houses and supports the plurality of cell units in an internal space. The cell cover includes a pair of side cover portions that cover one side surface and the other side surface of the at least one battery cell, and a cap portion that connects the pair of side cover portions and covers an upper end portion of the at least one battery cell. The cell cover further includes a gas barrier portion disposed adjacent to the cap portion at an end portion in the length direction of the cell cover.

[0013] A gas movement passage can be formed between an upper edge portion of the at least one battery cell and the cap portion, which is spaced apart and extends along the length direction.

[0014] The gas movement passage can communicate with a vertical movement passage that extends downward to the lower end of the battery cell at the gas barrier portion.

[0015] The gas shut-off part can include a gas direction conversion part that guides the flow of the gas that has moved through the gas movement passage to the vertical direction movement passage.

[0016] The pack case is provided with an exhaust safety passage for exhausting gas to the outside, and the vertical direction movement passage can communicate with the exhaust safety passage.

[0017] The gas direction conversion part may be one surface of the gas shut-off part facing the inside of the cell cover.

[0018] The gas direction conversion part may be an arc-shaped curved surface facing the inside of the cell cover.

[0019] The gas direction conversion part may be an inclined surface that connects the upper surface and the side surface of the gas shut-off part and faces the inside of the cell cover.

[0020] The gas shut-off part can further include an extension part that extends from the gas direction conversion part toward the lower end of the battery cell.

[0021] The cell cover can include stainless steel (SUS).

[0022] The gas shut-off part can be provided integrally with the cell cover.

[0023] The gas shut-off part can be provided in a separate block form from the cell cover.

[0024] The gas shut-off part can include a fire-resistant material.

[0025] The device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the at least one battery pack.

Advantages of the Invention

[0026] According to the present invention, a battery cell can be stored in a packing case with space efficiency, the energy density is higher than that of a conventional battery pack, the assembly process is simplified, and a battery pack capable of guiding the flow of venting gas in a safer direction and a device including the same can be provided.

[0027] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0028]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0029] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail so that those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains can easily implement them. The present invention can be implemented in various different forms other than those described below, and the scope of the present invention is not limited by the embodiments described here.

[0030] To clearly explain the present invention, parts not related to the explanation are omitted, and the same reference numerals are used for the same or similar components throughout the specification.

[0031] In addition, the sizes and thicknesses of the respective configurations shown in the drawings are arbitrarily enlarged or reduced for the sake of convenience of explanation, and it is obvious that the content of the present invention is not limited to what is shown in the drawings. In the following drawings, in order to clearly represent a plurality of layers and regions, the thicknesses of the respective layers are shown enlarged. And in the following drawings, for the sake of convenience of explanation, the thicknesses of some layers and regions are exaggerated.

[0032] Also, when a part such as a layer, film, region, plate, etc. is described as being "on" or "above" another part, this should be interpreted to include not only the case where the corresponding part such as a layer, film, region, plate, etc. is directly above the other part, but also the case where there is another part in between. Conversely, when it is described that the corresponding part such as a layer, film, region, plate, etc. is directly above another part, it can be meant that there is no other part in between. Also, being "on" or "above" a reference part means being located above or below the reference part, and does not necessarily mean being located "up" or "above" in the direction opposite to gravity. On the other hand, similar to the description of being "on" or "above" another part, the description of being "below" or "beneath" another part can also be understood with reference to the above content.

[0033] Also, throughout the specification, when a part is described as "including" a certain component, this means that, unless otherwise specified, it does not exclude other components, but can further include other components.

[0034] Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 1, a battery pack 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0035] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a battery pack according to an example of the present invention.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 1, the battery pack 1000 of the present invention can include a plurality of cell unit blocks 11, a pack case 20, and an upper cover 30.

[0037] The cell unit block 11 can include a plurality of cell units 10, and such a plurality of cell units can be stacked in one direction. As will be described again below, each cell unit 10 can include at least one battery cell and a cell cover that partially wraps and supports the outside of the at least one battery cell. In this case, the at least one battery cell can include a pouch-type battery cell.

[0038] The pack case 20 has a mounting structure on which the cell unit block 11 is directly mounted without a separate case, and can be configured to accommodate and support a plurality of cell unit blocks 11 in separate internal spaces. And the upper cover 30 can be configured in a lid form for the upper end opening of the pack case 20. At this time, the upper cover 30 can also be configured in a box form with an open lower end.

[0039] On the other hand, in order to accommodate a plurality of cell unit blocks 11, the pack case 20 can include a lower plate 21 on which the cell unit block 11 is fixed, and side walls 22 that are combined with the lower plate 21 to form an internal space (S1) for accommodating the cell unit block.

[0040] A gas valve (not shown) for discharging the internal gas of the battery pack 1000 is provided on the outer surface of such side walls 22, and a gas inlet through which gas generated from the cell unit block 11 flows can be provided on the inner surface of the side walls 22 adjacent to the internal space (S1). Also, the side walls 22 can be provided with side gas channels inside. One end of the side gas channel can be connected to the gas inlet, extend along the inside of the side walls 22, and the other end can be connected to the gas valve.

[0041] In this case, the gas inlet of the side wall 22, the side gas channel, and the gas venting path connected to the gas valve can be provided individually for each cell unit block. That is, the gas discharged from the first cell unit block is discharged through the first gas inlet, the first side gas channel, and the first gas venting path connected to the first gas valve, and the gas discharged from the second cell unit block is discharged through the second gas inlet, the second side channel, and the second gas venting path which are provided separately from the first gas inlet, the first side gas channel, and the first gas valve respectively.

[0042] On the other hand, the pack case 20 can further include a partition wall 24 that divides the internal space (S1) into a plurality of spaces. Also, the pack case 20 can have an accommodation space (S2) for accommodating various electrical components required for the battery pack 1000.

[0043] The lower plate 21 can include a heat sink 23 that is in thermal contact with the cell unit block 11. The heat sink 23 can be configured to be in thermal contact with the cell unit block 11 and cool the cell unit block 11, and can be disposed inside or outside the lower plate 21. Also, in order to have cooling performance, the heat sink 23 can be made of a metal material with high thermal conductivity and heat resistance. Also, although not shown, a thermal resin layer 40 (see FIG. 5) may be formed at the lower part of the cell unit block 11. The thermal resin layer 40 can transfer heat to the heat sink 23 so that the heat generated from the battery cell is released through the heat sink 23. Also, since the thermal resin layer 40 has adhesiveness, the standing state of the cell unit 10 included in the cell unit block 11 can be maintained more stably.

[0044] Next, with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5, the configuration of the cell unit 10 will be described in more detail.

[0045] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a cell unit of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the cell unit shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is a drawing schematically showing a cross section taken along line A-A' of FIG. 2, and FIG. 5 is a drawing schematically showing a state in which a pack case is coupled in FIG. 4.

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the cell unit 10 can include at least one battery cell 100 and a cell cover 200 that partially covers the outside of the battery cell 100. Such a cell cover 200 can cover both side surfaces and the upper end of at least one battery cell 100 and can have a structure that is open at the front end, rear end, and lower end sides of the battery cell 100.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 3, the cell unit 10 can include at least one battery cell 100, a cell cover 200, and a bus bar assembly 300.

[0048] The battery cell 100 of the cell unit 10 corresponds to a basic unit of charge and discharge, and can be manufactured by a method of storing an electrode assembly and an electrolyte substance inside a pouch exterior material and sealing the pouch exterior material. In this case, the electrode assembly can be manufactured by a method in which a separator is interposed between a positive electrode and a negative electrode.

[0049] In addition, electrode leads 110 that are electrically connected to the electrode assembly and drawn out to the outside of the pouch exterior material can be provided at the front end and the rear end of the battery cell 100. Such a battery cell can be configured in a pouch form. One cell unit 10 can include one or more battery cells 100. When a plurality of battery cells 100 are included, they can be stacked at least in one direction. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of battery cells 100 can be stacked and arranged in the y-axis direction of the drawing, and the electrode leads 110 can be stacked so as to be aligned at the x-axis direction ends. As such a battery cell 100, various forms of battery cells 100 known at the time of filing of the present invention can be adopted. Therefore, detailed description of the configuration of such a battery cell 100 and the like is omitted.

[0050] The cell cover 200 can be configured to partially wrap and support the outside of at least one battery cell 100. In this case, the cell cover can be configured to support at least one pouch-type battery cell in an upright state.

[0051] For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the cell cover 200 can be configured to partially wrap the outside of three pouch-type battery cells 100 and support the battery cells 100 in an upright state. Thereby, even without a module case, the battery cells 100 can be directly fixed and stored inside the pack case 20. In particular, in the case of the battery cell 100, it can be said that the exterior material is made of a soft material, is vulnerable to external impacts, and has a low hardness. Therefore, it is not easy to store only the battery cell 100 itself inside the pack case 20 without storing it in a module case. However, in the case of this embodiment, a plurality of battery cells 100 are combined with the cell cover 200 in a state where at least a part thereof is wrapped by the cell cover 200 and directly stored inside the pack case 20, so that the stacked state thereof can be stably maintained.

[0052] According to such an embodiment of the present invention, it is not necessary to additionally provide fastening members such as a module case, a stacking frame, and bolts for maintaining the stacked state of cells in the battery pack 1000. Therefore, it is possible to remove the space occupied by other components such as the module case and the stacking frame and the space for ensuring tolerances due to them. Therefore, since the battery cells can occupy more space by the removed space, the energy density of the battery pack can be further improved.

[0053] Also, due to such an aspect of the present invention, since there are no module cases, stacking frames, bolts, etc., the volume and weight of the battery pack are reduced, and the manufacturing process is simplified.

[0054] Also, due to such an aspect of the present invention, the handling of the battery cells 100 becomes easier. For example, when storing a plurality of battery cells 100 inside the pack case, the battery cells 100 can be gripped by a jig or the like. At this time, the jig does not directly grip the battery cells 100, but can grip the cell cover 200 that wraps the battery cells 100. Therefore, damage or breakage of the battery cells 100 by the jig can be prevented.

[0055] Also, due to such an aspect of the present invention, the cell cover 200 is coupled to the battery cells 100, and the battery cells 100 can be effectively protected even without a module case.

[0056] In one embodiment, the cell cover 200 can include a pair of side cover portions 210 that cover one side surface and the other side surface of at least one battery cell 100, and a cap portion 220 that covers the upper end of the at least one battery cell 100 while connecting the pair of side cover portions 210. That is, with respect to the battery cell 100, it can be configured to cover the front side, the rear side, and the remaining three sides excluding the lower side where the electrode lead 110 protrudes. At this time, the cap portion 220 can be configured to be spaced apart from the pair of side cover portions 210 and the battery cell 100 into which the side cover portions 210 are inserted by a predetermined interval to form a gas transfer communication passage (P). At the same time, the pair of side cover portions 210 can be configured to be in tight contact with the wide surfaces of the outermost contour of the battery cell 100, and an adhesive tape or the like can be interposed between the battery cell 100 and the side cover portions 210 for fixing as needed.

[0057] For example, the cell cover 200 can be configured to wrap three sides of at least one battery cell 100, and can be configured to have an overall cross-section in the shape of an "n", "u", or "c".

[0058] On the one hand, the cell cover 200 can be configured such that the lower edge portion of the battery cell 100 is exposed toward the pack case 20. According to such an implementation configuration, the lower edge portion of the battery cell 100 can be in direct face contact with the thermal resin layer 40 disposed on the bottom surface of the pack case 20 as shown in FIG. 5, and the cooling performance of the battery pack 1000 can be more effectively ensured. That is, the heat released from each battery cell 100 is directly transmitted to the pack case 20, and the cooling performance can be improved. Also, in this case, since there is no need to provide an additional cooling structure between the pouch-type battery cell 100 and the pack case, efficient cooling performance can be realized. On the other hand, in the battery packs 1000, 1000 according to the present invention, a TIM (Thermal Interface Material) can be interposed to enhance the heat transfer performance between different components. For example, a TIM can be disposed between the battery cell 100 and the cell cover 200, between the cell cover 200 and the pack case 1000, and / or between the battery cell 100 and the pack case 1000. In this case, the cooling performance of the battery pack 1000 can be further improved.

[0059] Thus, the cell cover 200 having a simplified structure is made of a metal material having higher rigidity than the case of the battery cell 100, and can protect at least one battery cell 100 covered by the cell cover 200 from external shocks and vibrations. For example, the cell cover 200 can be made of a material including stainless steel (SUS) that is easy to process and highly corrosion-resistant. Thus, when the cell cover 200 is made of a steel material, since it has excellent mechanical strength or rigidity, the stacked state of the battery cells 100 can be supported more stably. Also, in this case, damage or breakage of the battery cell 100 from external shocks, for example, needle-like bodies, can be more effectively prevented. Moreover, in this case, the handling of the battery cells becomes easier.

[0060] Also, as in the above embodiment, when the cell cover 200 is made of a steel material, due to its high melting point, the overall structure can be stably maintained when a flame occurs from the battery cell 100. In particular, in the case of a steel material, since the melting point is higher than that of an aluminum material, it will not melt even in the flame ejected from the battery cell 100, and its form can be stably maintained. Therefore, excellent flame and electric wave prevention or delay effects, bending control effects, etc. between the battery cells 100 can be ensured.

[0061] On the other hand, a bus bar assembly 300 is coupled to the electrode lead exposed on the surface not covered by the cell cover 200. The bus bar assembly 300 includes a bus bar frame 310 and a bus bar 320 coupled thereto. That is, the bus bar 320 is electrically connected to the electrode lead of at least one battery cell 100 covered by the cell cover 200, and the bus bar frame 310 can be configured to support such a bus bar 320. Also, the bus bar assembly 300 can be configured to electrically connect a number of battery cells 100 to each other. For example, it can be coupled to the electrode leads of a plurality of battery cells 100 to electrically connect the plurality of battery cells 100 in series and / or in parallel. The bus bar assembly 300 can be coupled to the cell cover 200 in various ways. For example, the bus bar assembly 300 can be coupled and fixed to the cell cover 200 through various fastening methods such as adhesion, welding, insertion coupling, hook coupling, bolting coupling, rivet coupling.

[0062] The insulating cover 330 can be configured to prevent a short circuit of the electrode lead or the bus bar 320. For this purpose, the insulating cover 330 can be made of a polymer synthetic resin having insulating properties, prevent the bus bar assembly 300 from being exposed to the outside, and ensure and maintain electrical insulation.

[0063] Although not shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cell unit 10 may further include a clamping member configured to clamp the cell cover 200. The clamping member can clamp the cell cover 200 into which at least one battery cell 100 is inserted, and can be configured to prevent the space between both ends of the cell cover 200 (the ends of the side cover part 210 and the ends of the side cover part 210) from opening or the inserted battery cell 100 from detaching from the cell cover 200. Such a clamping member can be composed of a tape or can also be composed of an elastic metal material.

[0064] FIG. 3 shows that there are two battery cells 100 covered by one cell cover 200, but of course, the number of battery cells 100 covered by the cell cover 200 can be variously changed according to the scale of the cell cover 200.

[0065] On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the cell unit 10 according to an embodiment may further include a gas blocking part 400 disposed at the upper end in the front-rear direction of the cell cover 200. That is, on the drawing, at the end of the cell cover 200 in the x-axis direction, adjacent to the cap part 220 at the upper end in the z-axis direction, corresponding to the interval between the pair of side cover parts 210 (that is, corresponding to the interval in the y-axis direction), the gas blocking part 400 can be disposed.

[0066] The gas blocking part 400 can be provided integrally with the cell cover 200, or can also be provided separately in a block shape using a refractory material so as to be detachably coupled to this part.

[0067] For example, as shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 4, the gas blocking part 400 can be provided in a block form having a width corresponding to the interval between the pair of side cover parts 210. Such a gas blocking part 400 can play a role of blocking the gas from escaping at the upper end in the front-rear direction that is open in the cell cover 200.

[0068] Further, the gas shut-off part 400 can be provided with a gas direction conversion part 410 that can change the flow direction of the venting gas. The gas direction conversion part 410 is preferably provided so as to be able to guide the flow of the gas in the lower direction, that is, the lower direction in the z-axis direction from the drawing.

[0069] For example, in the gas direction conversion part 410, the surface facing the inner direction of the cell cover 200 from the gas shut-off part 400 can be formed of an arc or a curved surface. In this case, as in the embodiment configuration of FIG. 4, the flow of the venting gas flowing in the front-rear direction of the cell cover 200 from the gas movement communication passage (P) at the upper inner end of the cell cover 200 can be converted to the lower direction.

[0070] More specifically, referring to FIG. 5, in the pouch-type battery cell 100, a sealing part heat-sealed to seal the pouch case is located on the side where the electrode lead 110 protrudes and on the upper edge part adjacent to the cap part 220, and the lower edge part exposed without being covered by the cell cover 200 may be an unsealed part. Such a battery cell 100 can be provided by arranging an electrode assembly or the like on a single pouch sheet, folding the single pouch sheet in half, and heat-sealing the three edges. In particular, the upper edge part may be a sealing part folded by DSF (Double Side Folding). Here, DSF means a part where the heat-sealed part is folded and wrapped two or more times. The unsealed lower edge part has a flat surface, can stably contact the bottom surface of the pack case 20, and is also advantageous for dissipating heat through a thermal resin layer 40 or the like.

[0071] In such a pouch-type battery cell 100, the upper edge part as the sealing part may be more vulnerable to the discharge of relatively high-temperature gas or flame than the lower edge part which is the unsealed part. For this reason, when the internal pressure of the battery cell 100 rises, for example, the sealing part of the upper edge part is broken, and it is easy for the venting gas or the electrode piece or the active material detached from the electrode assembly to eject from the broken part.

[0072] The battery pack 1000 according to this embodiment is configured such that, in anticipation of the above-described situation, the cap portion 220 of the cell cover 200 is spaced apart from the upper edge portion of the battery cell 100 by a predetermined distance in order to secure a movement path for venting gas in the event of an emergency, thereby forming a gas movement path (P).

[0073] Also, the battery pack 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention can be configured to include a heat sink 23. Here, the heat sink 23 means an object that absorbs and dissipates heat from other objects through direct or indirect thermal contact. In particular, as shown in FIG. 5, the battery pack 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention can be provided in the form of a heat sink 23 having a flow path through which cooling water can flow in the lower plate 21 of the pack case 20 for the purpose of weight reduction and simplification of components.

[0074] Further, the pack case 20 can be provided to further include an exhaust safety passage 20P whose path is designed to guide the exhaust of venting gas from the battery pack 1000 in a specific direction. One side (the inlet 20I of the safety passage) of the exhaust safety passage 20P can communicate with the inner space of the pack case 20, and the other side (the outlet of the safety passage) can communicate with the outside air. And there may be a case where the thermal resin layer 40 is not located at the inlet 20I portion of the safety passage.

[0075] Looking at the venting gas discharge path of the battery pack 1000 according to such an embodiment of the present invention, when venting gas is ejected from the upper edge portion of the battery cell 100, the venting gas has the vertical direction of the cell cover 200 blocked, and moves in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) of the cell cover along the gas movement passage (P) inside the cell cover 200. Then, the venting gas that has reached the upper end portion in the front-rear direction of the cell cover 200 first hits the gas blocking portion 400, and further movement in the front-rear direction is blocked. For reference, if there is no such gas blocking portion 400, the venting gas can escape forward or backward through the gap between the bus bar frame 310 and the cell cover 200. In particular, as time passes, the upper end of the bus bar frame, which is the ejecta, is likely to melt thermally and form holes. On the other hand, since the gas blocking portion 400 is provided with a material such as stainless steel, ceramic, silicon, or other materials with excellent fire resistance, it can protect the bus bar frame 310 from heat from the high-temperature venting gas and play a role in blocking the front-rear movement of the venting gas.

[0076] Further, the bending gas can have its flow direction changed downward by the gas direction changing portion 410 of the gas shutoff portion 400. At this time, below the gas shutoff portion 400, there is a lead sealing portion disposed between the portion where the electrode lead 110 in the battery cell 100 protrudes and the main body of the battery cell 100. Such a lead sealing portion means a portion where the sheet constituting the pouch case and the electrode lead 110 are integrally sealed. Since such lead sealing portions exist at both front and rear ends in the longitudinal direction of the cell cover 200, there are gaps, and these gaps can be utilized as vertical movement passages for the bending gas. The bending gas whose flow direction has been changed downward by the gas direction changing portion 410 moves along such vertical movement passages. At this time, if the gas shutoff portion 400 is configured only in a form that simply closes the end of the gas movement passage (P) without the gas direction changing portion 410, the bending pressure received by the gas shutoff portion 400 itself becomes large, and the gas shutoff portion 400 may be damaged before appropriately guiding the gas flow. On the other hand, by providing the gas direction changing portion 410 that guides the gas flow downward, it is possible to reduce the pressure received by the gas shutoff portion 400, prevent gas outflow in the front-rear direction, and safely guide the gas flow downward.

[0077] And, the inlet 20I of the safety passage of the pack case 1000 described above is configured to communicate with the vertical movement passage. The bending gas has its flow direction changed downward by the gas direction changing portion 410 of the gas shutoff portion 400, passes through the vertical movement passage, and can enter the exhaust safety passage 20P, that is, the inside of the main body of the pack case 20. The bending gas that has entered the inside of the pack case 20 in this way can form the exhaust safety passage 20P of the pack case 20 so as to be exhausted to the outside of the battery pack 1000 at a safer position rather than in the upper direction of the 200 of the pack case. For example, the outlet of the exhaust safety passage 20P can be directed downward of the pack case 20, or a pipe can be used to connect the outlet to the device, that is, the exhaust port of the automobile, so that the bending gas can be discharged to the rear of the automobile through the exhaust port of the automobile.

[0078] As described above, the battery pack according to the present invention includes the above-described configuration, can accommodate battery cells in a pack case with high space efficiency, has a higher energy density than conventional battery packs, and can simplify the assembly process. Further, the battery pack according to the present invention can suppress the upward movement of venting gas during internal ignition, can induce the flow of venting gas in a specific direction, and can be said to have excellent fire safety.

[0079] Hereinafter, a gas blocking portion according to a modification of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 6.

[0080] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a gas blocking portion according to a modification.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 6(a), a gas blocking portion 401 according to a modification can have a chamfered form as a gas direction conversion portion instead of a bent form. That is, an inclined surface connected from the upper surface to the side surface of the gas blocking portion 401 can serve as the gas direction conversion portion 410'. In this case, as shown in FIG. 6(a), the shape of the gas blocking portion 401 from the front can have a right triangle.

[0082] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6(b), a gas blocking portion 402 according to another modification can further include an extension portion 411 that further extends downward from the gas direction conversion portion 410. Thereby, since the area for protecting the bus bar frame 310 becomes wider, gas can be more reliably blocked and the flow of gas can be induced to the lower part. On the other hand, the configuration of the gas blocking portion is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that it can be deformed into various forms.

[0083] FIG. 7 is a drawing showing a device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 7, the device according to an embodiment of the present invention can be an automobile 2, and such a device can include at least one battery pack 1000 according to any one of the various embodiments described above.

[0085] Thus, the battery pack 1000 provided in the automobile 2 can provide the electrical energy necessary for various operations of the automobile 2.

[0086] For reference, it goes without saying that the battery pack according to the present invention can be applied not only to automobiles but also to ESS (Energy Storage System) and various devices.

[0087] In this specification, terms representing directions such as up, down, left, and right are used, but these terms are for convenience of explanation, and it is obvious to those skilled in the art of the present invention that they may vary depending on the position of the object in question and the position of the observer.

[0088] As described above, although the present invention has been described with reference to limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereby, and various modifications and variations can be made by those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0089] 10 Cell unit 11 Cell unit block 20 Pack case 30 Upper cover 100 Battery cell 110 Electrode lead 200 Cell cover 210 Side cover part 220 Cap part 300 Busbar assembly 330 Insulating cover 400, 401, 402 Gas barrier part 410, 410’ Gas direction conversion part 1000 Battery pack

Claims

1. A plurality of cell units each including at least one battery cell and a cell cover that wraps around and supports the at least one battery cell, and a pack case that houses and supports the plurality of cell units in an internal space are included, wherein the cell cover includes a pair of side cover portions that cover one side surface and the other side surface of the at least one battery cell, and a cap portion that connects the pair of side cover portions and covers an upper end portion of the at least one battery cell is included, and the battery pack further includes a gas blocking portion disposed adjacent to the cap portion at an end portion in the length direction of the cell cover.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein a space is provided between an upper edge portion of the at least one battery cell and the cap portion to form a gas movement passage extending along the length direction.

3. The battery pack according to claim 2, wherein the gas movement passage communicates with a vertical movement passage that extends downward to the lower end of the battery cell at the gas blocking portion.

4. The battery pack according to claim 3, wherein the gas blocking portion includes a gas direction conversion portion that guides the flow of gas that has moved through the gas movement passage to the vertical movement passage.

5. The pack case includes an exhaust safety passage for exhausting gas to the outside, and the battery pack according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the vertical movement passage communicates with the exhaust safety passage.

6. The battery pack according to claim 4, wherein the gas direction conversion portion is one surface of the gas blocking portion facing the inside of the cell cover.

7. The battery pack according to claim 6, wherein the gas direction conversion portion is an arc-shaped curved surface facing the inside of the cell cover.

8. The battery pack according to claim 6, wherein the gas direction conversion portion is an inclined surface that connects an upper surface and a side surface of the gas blocking portion and faces the inside of the cell cover.

9. The battery pack according to claim 6, wherein the gas blocking portion further includes an extension portion that extends from the gas direction conversion portion toward the lower end of the battery cell.

10. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the cell cover includes stainless steel (SUS).

11. The battery pack according to claim 10, wherein the gas blocking portion is provided integrally with the cell cover.

12. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the gas blocking portion is provided in a separate block form from the cell cover.

13. The gas shut-off part is the battery pack according to claim 12, including a refractory material.

14. A device including the battery pack according to claim 1.

Images