Battery module, battery pack including same, and automobile

Abstract

A battery module, a battery pack including the same, and a vehicle are disclosed. The battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked, and a case in which the battery cell stack is housed. The battery cells include a flame / gas guider for guiding flames or gases generated in the battery cells in one direction.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0015619, filed on February 6, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety in the specification and drawings thereof.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery module, a battery pack including the same, and a vehicle, and more particularly to a battery module that can prevent the spread of flame or gas and ensure the stability of the battery module, a battery pack including the same, and a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0003] With technological development and increased demand for mobile devices, the demand for secondary batteries as an energy source is rapidly increasing. Traditionally, nickel-cadmium batteries or hydrogen-ion batteries have been used as secondary batteries, but recently lithium secondary batteries have become more popular because they have almost no memory effect compared to nickel-based secondary batteries, can be charged and discharged freely, have an extremely low self-discharge rate, and have a high energy density.

[0004] Such lithium secondary batteries primarily use lithium-based oxides and carbon materials as the positive and negative electrode active materials, respectively, and include an electrode assembly in which a separator is sandwiched between positive and negative electrode plates coated with the positive and negative electrode active materials, and an exterior material, such as a battery case, that encloses the electrode assembly together with an electrolyte.

[0005] Lithium secondary batteries consist of a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator between them, and an electrolyte. They are classified as lithium ion batteries (LIBs) or polymer lithium ion batteries (PLIBs) depending on the positive and negative electrode active materials used. Typically, the electrodes of these lithium secondary batteries are formed by applying a positive or negative electrode active material to a current collector, such as an aluminum or copper sheet, mesh, film, or foil, followed by drying. Furthermore, various types of secondary batteries are provided with a housing capable of protecting the battery cells, and can be used in the form of a module containing multiple battery cells.

[0006] 1 is a diagram showing the schematic arrangement of a plurality of battery cells in a conventional battery module including a plurality of battery cells, in which the case of the battery module is omitted.

[0007] Referring to FIG. 1, if any battery cell 2 among a plurality of battery cells 1 ignites and generates flame and gas, the flame and gas will propagate from the ignited battery cell 2 to other battery cells 3 that have not ignited.

[0008] At this time, as shown in Figure 1, the flames and gases can spread in various directions, such as to the top or sides of the battery cell (see the arrows in Figure 1).

[0009] As a result, a chain reaction of flames and gases inside the battery module can cause damage to the battery module or battery pack, resulting in a complete burnout or explosion, making it impossible to ensure the stability of the battery module. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] Therefore, a technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a battery module that can prevent flames or gases generated in any battery cell from spreading to adjacent battery cells by discharging them in a predetermined direction, thereby ensuring the stability of the battery module, and a battery pack and automobile including the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, there may be provided a battery module including: a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked; and a case in which the battery cell stack is housed, wherein the battery cells include a flame / gas guider for guiding flame or gas generated in the battery cells in one direction.

[0012] In one embodiment, the battery cell is a pouch-type battery cell, and the pouch-type battery cell includes: an inner pouch containing a positive electrode plate, a separator, a negative electrode plate, and an electrolyte and having a plurality of edges; a positive electrode lead connected to the positive electrode plate; a negative electrode lead connected to the negative electrode plate; a flame-retardant member enclosing only a portion of the inner pouch; and an outer pouch enclosing the inner pouch and the flame-retardant member, and the flame gas guide portion may be formed in a portion of the inner pouch that is not enclosed by the flame-retardant member.

[0013] In one embodiment, the positive electrode lead may protrude from the interior to the exterior of the inner pouch through any one of a plurality of edges of the inner pouch, and the negative electrode lead may protrude from the interior to the exterior of the inner pouch through the same edge of the inner pouch as the edge on which the positive electrode lead is located.

[0014] In one embodiment, the flame-retardant member may be configured to wrap the remaining edges of the inner pouch excluding the edges where the positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead are located.

[0015] In one embodiment, the internal pouch may be formed in a rectangular shape, the positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead may protrude from the inside to the outside of the internal pouch through a first edge of four edges of the internal pouch, and the flame gas guide portion may be formed on the first edge.

[0016] In one embodiment, the inner pouch may be rectangular with a long side edge and a short side edge, and the first edge may be the long side edge.

[0017] In one embodiment, the flame retardant member may be made of mica or glass fiber.

[0018] In one embodiment, the battery cell is a pouch-type battery cell, and the pouch-type battery cell includes: an inner pouch containing a positive electrode plate, a separator, a negative electrode plate, and an electrolyte and having a plurality of edges; a positive electrode lead connected to the positive electrode plate; a negative electrode lead connected to the negative electrode plate; a flame-retardant member enclosing only a portion of the inner pouch; and an outer cover covering the inner pouch and the flame-retardant member, and the flame gas guide may be formed in a portion of the inner pouch that is not enclosed by the flame-retardant member.

[0019] In one embodiment, the flame retardant member may be made of iron or stainless steel (SUS: Steel Use Stainless).

[0020] In one embodiment, an exhaust port may be formed in the case at a portion where the flame gas guide is located, allowing the flame or the gas guided through the flame gas guide to be discharged to the outside of the case.

[0021] In one embodiment, the case may include an upper case, a lower case, and a side case, and the exhaust port may be formed in at least one of the upper case and the side case.

[0022] Meanwhile, according to another aspect of the present invention, a battery pack including the battery module may be provided, and further, a vehicle including the battery module may be provided. [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] According to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to prevent flames or gases generated in any battery cell from spreading to adjacent battery cells by discharging them in a predetermined direction, thereby ensuring the stability of the battery module. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic arrangement of a plurality of battery cells in a conventional battery module including the plurality of battery cells. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 illustrates an internal pouch in a battery cell according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 3 is a diagram showing a state in which the inner pouch in FIG. 2 is wrapped with a flame-retardant member and an outer pouch. FIG. [Figure 4] 3 is a diagram showing another embodiment of a battery cell according to FIG. 2. [Figure 5] 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the battery cell of FIG. 4 is separated from the case of the battery module. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the inside of FIG. 5; [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a front cross-sectional view of FIG. 6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Prior to this, the terms and phrases used in this specification and claims should not be construed as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be construed as being in accordance with the meaning and concept of the technical concept of the present invention, based on the principle that the inventor himself can appropriately define the concept of terms in order to best describe the invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiment described in this specification and the configuration shown in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiment of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical concept of the present invention, and therefore, various equivalents and modifications that can be substituted therefor may exist at the time of filing this application.

[0026] In the drawings, the size of each component or specific parts of the component may be slightly exaggerated, omitted, or illustrated schematically for ease of explanation and clarity. Therefore, the size of each component may not completely reflect the actual size. If it is determined that a detailed description of known technologies related to the present invention may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted.

[0027] The terms "coupled" or "connected" as used herein include not only cases where one member is directly coupled or directly connected to another member, but also cases where one member is indirectly coupled or indirectly connected to another member via a coupling member.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an inner pouch in a battery cell according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the inner pouch in FIG. 2 wrapped in a flame-retardant member and an outer pouch, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a battery cell according to another embodiment of FIG. 2, FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the battery cell of FIG. 4 separated from the case of a battery module, FIG. 6 is a combined perspective view showing the interior of FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is a front cross-sectional view of FIG. 6.

[0029] Referring to the drawings, a battery module 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a battery cell stack 100 and a case 300.

[0030] The battery cell stack 100 may be configured such that a plurality of battery cells 200 are stacked (see FIG. 5 ). The battery cells 200 include a flame and gas guide 400 for unidirectionally guiding flame or gas generated in the battery cells 200. The flame and gas guide 400 will be described in detail below.

[0031] The battery cell 200 may have various structures, and a plurality of the battery cells 200 may be stacked in various ways. The battery cell 200 may have a structure in which a plurality of unit cells, each having a positive electrode plate / separator / negative electrode plate arranged in this order, or a bi-cell, each having a positive electrode plate / separator / negative electrode plate / separator / positive electrode plate / separator / negative electrode plate arranged in this order, are stacked according to the battery capacity.

[0032] The battery cell 200 may be provided with electrode leads. The electrode leads are a type of terminal that is exposed to the outside and connected to an external device, and may be made of a conductive material. The electrode leads may include a positive electrode lead 220 and a negative electrode lead 230.

[0033] The battery cell 200 may include various types, but may be provided as, for example, a pouch-type battery cell 200.

[0034] Referring to both Figures 2 and 3 as one embodiment, a pouch-type battery cell 200 may include an inner pouch 210, a positive electrode lead 220, a negative electrode lead 230, a flame-retardant member 240, and an outer pouch 250.

[0035] The inner pouch 210 contains a positive electrode plate 211, a separator 212, a negative electrode plate 213, and an electrolyte 214. The inner pouch 210 can be formed into various shapes, and the inner pouch 210 has multiple edges.

[0036] The positive electrode lead 220 is connected to the positive electrode plate 211, and the negative electrode lead 230 is connected to the negative electrode plate 213. Referring to Figure 2, the positive electrode lead 220 and the negative electrode lead 230 protrude from the inside of the inner pouch 210 to the outside.

[0037] 2 and 3, the positive electrode lead 220 and the negative electrode lead 230 can be arranged to face in the same direction.

[0038] For example, the positive electrode lead 220 may protrude from the inside to the outside of the inner pouch 210 through any one of the edges of the inner pouch 210 .

[0039] The negative electrode lead 230 may protrude from the inside to the outside of the inner pouch 210 through the same edge as the edge where the positive electrode lead 220 is located, among the multiple edges of the inner pouch 210 .

[0040] That is, the positive electrode lead 220 and the negative electrode lead 230 can protrude from the inside to the outside of the internal pouch 210 through the same edge among the multiple edges of the internal pouch 210 .

[0041] 3, the flame-retardant member 240 may be configured to wrap only a portion of the internal pouch 210. For example, the flame-retardant member 240 may be configured to wrap the remaining edges of the internal pouch 210, excluding the edges where the positive electrode lead 220 and the negative electrode lead 230 are located.

[0042] 3, the flame-retardant member 240 is configured to wrap both sides and the bottom of the inner pouch 210 except for the top of the inner pouch 210. In other words, only the top of the inner pouch 210 is not wrapped with the flame-retardant member 240.

[0043] The flame retardant member 240 can be made of a variety of materials, such as, but not limited to, mica or glass fiber.

[0044] Here, in the portion of the inner pouch 210 that is not enclosed by the flame-retardant member 240, a flame gas guide portion 400 is formed.

[0045] The flame and gas guide portion 400 is a portion that guides the flame or gas so that it is discharged to the outside of the inner pouch 210. For example, in FIG. 3, the flame and gas guide portion 400 is formed on the upper part of the inner pouch 210.

[0046] In other words, if a flame or gas occurs inside the internal pouch 210, the flame or gas will not be discharged to the outside from the part that is wrapped by the flame-retardant member 240, but will be discharged through the top of the internal pouch 210 that is not wrapped by the flame-retardant member 240.

[0047] That is, the flame or gas is configured to be guided to the flame and gas guide portion 400 , which is the upper portion of the inner pouch 210 that is not enclosed by the flame retardant member 240 .

[0048] The inner pouch 210 can be formed in a variety of shapes, for example, in a rectangular shape as shown in FIG.

[0049] The positive electrode lead 220 and the negative electrode lead 230 protrude from the inside to the outside of the internal pouch 210 through a first edge 215 of the four edges of the internal pouch 210 (the upper edge of the internal pouch 210 in Figures 2 and 3).

[0050] Here, when the flame retardant member 240 is configured to wrap both sides and the bottom of the inner pouch 210 except for the top of the inner pouch 210, as described above, the flame gas guide portion 400 is formed in the top of the inner pouch 210, i.e., the first edge portion 215, which is not wrapped by the flame retardant member 240.

[0051] And, for example, if inner pouch 210 is formed into a rectangle with a long side edge and a short side edge, first edge 215 may be the long side edge.

[0052] 3, the outer pouch 250 is configured to encase the inner pouch 210 and the flame retardant member 240. The outer pouch 250 may be formed of the same material and in the same shape as the inner pouch 210.

[0053] The outer pouch 250 may completely seal the inner pouch 210, or may be formed to open only the top of the inner pouch 210 where the flame gas guide portion 400 is formed.

[0054] On the other hand, other embodiments in contrast to those of FIGS. 2 and 3 are shown in FIGS.

[0055] 4 to 7 differ from FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 in that an outer cover 260 is provided instead of the outer pouch 250 of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. The differences from the embodiment of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 will be explained below, but the same explanation will be applied to the common parts.

[0056] Referring to Figures 4 to 7, the details of the internal pouch 210 and the fact that the positive electrode lead 220 and the negative electrode lead 230 are arranged in the same direction are common to the above-described embodiment of Figures 2 and 3.

[0057] Although there may be some differences in the shape of the flame-retardant member 240, the basic position and function are the same. Meanwhile, in this embodiment, the flame-retardant member 240 may be made of mica or glass fiber, or may be made of iron or stainless steel (SUS: Steel Use Stainless).

[0058] The outer cover 260 is provided to encase the inner pouch 210 and the flame retardant member 240. The outer pouch 250 may be formed of the same material as the inner pouch 210, whereas the outer cover 260 may be formed of a different material than the inner pouch 210.

[0059] Meanwhile, the battery cell stack 100 may include a plurality of cartridges (not shown) that house the battery cells 200. Each cartridge (not shown) may be manufactured by plastic injection molding, and a plurality of cartridges (not shown), each having a housing portion capable of housing the battery cells 200, may be stacked.

[0060] A cartridge assembly in which multiple cartridges (not shown) are stacked may be provided with connector elements or terminal elements.

[0061] The connector elements may include various forms of electrical connection parts or members for connecting to, for example, a Battery Management System (BMS) (not shown) that can provide data regarding the voltage or temperature of the battery cell 200.

[0062] The terminal elements are main terminals connected to the battery cell 200 and include a positive terminal and a negative terminal, and terminal bolts may be provided on the terminal elements to electrically connect them to the outside. Meanwhile, the battery cell 200 may have various shapes.

[0063] The battery cell stack 100 is housed in the case 300. The case 300 surrounds the battery cells 200, thereby protecting the battery cells 200 from external vibrations and shocks.

[0064] The case 300 may be formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of the battery cell stack 100. For example, if the battery cells 200 and the battery cell stack 100 are formed in a hexahedron shape with a square cross section, the case 300 may also be formed in a corresponding hexahedron shape.

[0065] Case 300 can be manufactured, for example, by bending a metal plate, which allows case 300 to be manufactured as a single unit. Manufacturing case 300 as a single unit has the effect of simplifying and streamlining the joining process. Alternatively, case 300 may be configured as a separate unit and joined by welding or the like. However, the material of case 300 is not limited to a metal material.

[0066] 5 to 7, an exhaust port 311 may be formed in the portion of the case 300 where the flame gas guiding unit 400 is located, allowing the flame or gas induced through the flame gas guiding unit 400 to be discharged to the outside of the case 300.

[0067] For example, the case 300 may include an upper case 310, a lower case 320, and a side case 330, and the exhaust port 311 may be formed in the upper case 310, the side case 330, or both the upper case 310 and the side case 330.

[0068] That is, although the exhaust port 311 is formed in the upper case 310 in FIGS. 5 to 7, the position of the exhaust port 311 is not limited thereto, and may be various.

[0069] Meanwhile, although Figures 4 to 7 show an embodiment in which an outer cover 260 is provided and housed in a case 300, the contents regarding the discharge of flame or gas through the exhaust port 311 can also be commonly applied to an embodiment in which an outer pouch 250 is provided and housed in a case 300 as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

[0070] The configuration and effects of the battery module 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

[0071] 2 and 3, the positive electrode lead 220 and the negative electrode lead 230 protrude from the inside to the outside of the inner pouch 210 through the same edge among the multiple edges of the inner pouch 210.

[0072] In addition, the flame-retardant member 240 is configured to wrap both sides and the bottom of the inner pouch 210 except for the top of the inner pouch 210, that is, it is configured to wrap the remaining edges of the inner pouch 210 except for the edges where the positive electrode lead 220 and the negative electrode lead 230 are located together.

[0073] Furthermore, in the portion of the inner pouch 210 that is not enclosed by the flame-retardant member 240, for example, the upper portion of the inner pouch 210 in FIG.

[0074] The outer pouch 250 is configured to encase the inner pouch 210 and the flame-retardant member 240. The outer pouch 250 is made of the same material as the inner pouch 210 and has the same shape.

[0075] If a flame or gas occurs inside the internal pouch 210, the flame or gas will not be discharged from the part enclosed by the flame-retardant member 240, and will be discharged to the outside of the internal pouch 210 through the upper part of the internal pouch 210 that is not enclosed by the flame-retardant member 240, i.e., the flame and gas guide part 400.

[0076] That is, the flame or gas is configured to be guided to the upper portion of the inner pouch 210 that is not enclosed by the flame-retardant member 240 .

[0077] 4 to 7, in an alternative embodiment to that of FIGS. 2 and 3, an outer cover 260 is provided instead of the outer pouch 250. In the embodiment of FIG.

[0078] Furthermore, the embodiment relating to Figures 2 and 3 and the embodiment relating to Figures 4 to 7 have in common that an exhaust port 311 is formed in the case 300, for example, the upper case 310, and the flame or gas generated in the battery cell 200 moves through the upper part of the internal pouch 210, which is not wrapped by the flame-retardant member 240, and is then exhausted to the outside of the case 300 through the exhaust port 311 of the upper case 310 (see the arrows in Figures 6 and 7).

[0079] That is, even if a flame or gas occurs in any one of the battery cells 200 inside the battery module 10, the flame or gas is discharged to the outside of the case 300 through the flame and gas guide portion 400 of the battery cell 200 and the exhaust port 311 of the upper case 310, and does not move to the side of the battery cell 200, thereby preventing the flame or gas from spreading to other adjacent battery cells 200.

[0080] Meanwhile, a battery pack (not shown) according to an embodiment of the present invention may include one or more battery modules 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention described above.

[0081] In addition to the battery module 10, the battery pack (not shown) may further include a pack case (not shown) for accommodating the battery module 10, and various devices for controlling the charging and discharging of the battery module 10, such as a battery management system (BMS), a current sensor, a fuse, etc.

[0082] Meanwhile, a vehicle (not shown) according to an embodiment of the present invention may include the battery module 10 or a battery pack (not shown), and the battery pack (not shown) may include the battery module 10. The battery module 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be applied to a vehicle (not shown), for example, a predetermined vehicle (not shown) that uses electricity, such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle.

[0083] Although the present invention has been described above using limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and it goes without saying that various modifications and variations can be made by a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains within the technical spirit of the present invention and the equivalent scope of the appended claims. [Industrial Applicability]

[0084] The present invention relates to a battery module, a battery pack including the same, and an automobile, and is particularly applicable in industries related to secondary batteries. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 1, 2, 3 battery cells 10 Battery Module 100 Battery cell stack 200 battery cells 210 Inner Pouch 211 Positive electrode plate 212 Separator 213 Negative electrode plate 214 Electrolyte 215 First edge 220 Positive lead 230 Negative lead 240 Flame-retardant materials 250 outer pouch 260 outer cover 300 cases 310 Upper Case 311 Outlet 320 Lower Case 330 Side Case 400 Flame gas induction section

Claims

1. a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked; a case in which the battery cell stack is housed; Including, The battery module includes a flame / gas guider for guiding flame or gas generated in the battery cell in one direction.

2. the battery cell is a pouch-type battery cell, The pouch-type battery cell includes: an inner pouch containing a positive electrode plate, a separator, a negative electrode plate, and an electrolyte, the inner pouch having a plurality of edges; a positive electrode lead connected to the positive electrode plate; a negative electrode lead connected to the negative electrode plate; a flame-retardant member enclosing only a portion of the inner pouch; an outer pouch enclosing the inner pouch and the flame retardant member; The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the flame gas guide portion is formed in a portion of the inner pouch that is not enclosed by the flame retardant member.

3. the positive electrode lead protrudes from the inside to the outside of the inner pouch through any one of a plurality of edge portions of the inner pouch, 3. The battery module of claim 2, wherein the negative electrode lead protrudes from the inside to the outside of the inner pouch through the same edge among a plurality of edges of the inner pouch as the edge on which the positive electrode lead is located.

4. 4. The battery module according to claim 3, wherein the flame-retardant member is configured to wrap the remaining edges of the inner pouch excluding edges where the positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead are located.

5. The inner pouch is formed in a rectangular shape, the positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead protrude from the inside to the outside of the internal pouch through a first edge portion of four edges of the internal pouch, The battery module according to claim 4 , wherein the flame gas guide is formed at the first edge portion.

6. The inner pouch is formed in a rectangular shape including a long side edge and a short side edge, The battery module according to claim 5 , wherein the first edge is a long side edge.

7. The battery module according to claim 2 , wherein the flame-retardant member is made of mica or glass fiber.

8. the battery cell is a pouch-type battery cell, The pouch-type battery cell includes: an inner pouch containing a positive electrode plate, a separator, a negative electrode plate, and an electrolyte, the inner pouch having a plurality of edges; a positive electrode lead connected to the positive electrode plate; a negative electrode lead connected to the negative electrode plate; a flame-retardant member enclosing only a portion of the inner pouch; an outer cover that encases the inner pouch and the flame retardant member; The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the flame gas guide portion is formed in a portion of the inner pouch that is not enclosed by the flame retardant member.

9. The battery module according to claim 8 , wherein the flame-retardant member is made of iron or stainless steel (SUS).

10. 2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein an exhaust port is formed in a portion of the case where the flame gas guiding portion is located, through which the flame or the gas guiding portion is exhausted to the outside of the case.

11. the case includes an upper case, a lower case, and a side case; The battery module according to claim 10 , wherein the exhaust port is formed in at least one of the upper case and the side case.

12. A battery pack comprising the battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

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

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