Battery packs and devices containing them

Abstract

The present invention includes a battery pack and a device including the same, and a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a first pack case that mounts a plurality of battery modules that house stacked battery cells; a second pack case that is positioned to cover the battery modules; and an inlet provided in the second pack case; the inlet is connected to a flow path that transfers a fire-extinguishing liquid injected from the outside.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] [Cross-reference to related applications] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0143916 dated November 1, 2022, and all contents disclosed in the documents of that Korean patent application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery pack and a device including the same, and more particularly to a battery pack and a device including the same that are easy to extinguish in the event of a fire and ensure safety. [Background technology]

[0003] As technological development and demand for mobile devices increases, the demand for secondary batteries as an energy source is rapidly increasing. As a result, much research is being conducted on secondary batteries that can meet various demands.

[0004] Secondary batteries are attracting much attention not only for use in mobile devices such as mobile phones, digital cameras, and laptop computers, but also as energy sources for power plants such as electric bicycles, electric vehicles, and hybrid electric vehicles.

[0005] Recently, as the need for large-capacity secondary battery structures has increased, including the use of secondary batteries as energy storage sources, there has been an increasing demand for battery packs with medium to large modular structures that assemble battery modules in which multiple secondary batteries are connected in series / parallel.

[0006] Meanwhile, when a battery pack is constructed by connecting a plurality of battery cells in series / parallel, a battery module consisting of at least one battery cell is constructed, and other components are added to the at least one battery module to construct the battery pack. The battery cells that constitute such a medium- to large-sized battery module are composed of rechargeable secondary batteries, and such high-power, large-capacity secondary batteries generate a large amount of heat during the charge / discharge process, which can vaporize the electrolyte, increase internal pressure, and cause the battery cell pouch to burst.

[0007] In this case, a fire may occur from the battery module or battery pack, and if the battery pack is installed in a device such as a car, it may cause not only property damage but also personal injury. Therefore, there has been a proposal to include additional components inside the battery pack for the purpose of ensuring safety in order to prevent additional heat diffusion in the event of a fire, but this has the problem of reducing the energy density of the battery and increasing the price due to the additional components, so another type of battery pack needs to be devised.

[0008] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a conventional battery pack attached to a device, and Figs. 2 and 3 are diagrams showing the conventional battery pack attached to the device of Fig. 1.

[0009] 1, when a conventional battery pack 1 is installed in a device 5 such as a car, the battery pack 1 is located inside the front and rear of the car. Here, the front of the car refers to the x-axis direction, which is the direction in which a typical car travels, and the rear of the car refers to the direction opposite to the direction in which a typical car travels, which is the -x-axis direction.

[0010] 2 and 3, the battery pack 1 includes an upper pack case 11 and a lower pack case 12. The upper pack case 11 is a case that covers the battery modules installed inside the battery pack and may have a certain volume in the height direction (z-axis direction). The lower pack case 12 may be a flat plate on which the battery modules are mounted.

[0011] As described above, the conventional battery pack 1 has a certain volume in the height direction (z-axis direction), which causes the problem of heavy weight of the battery pack 1. In addition, when the battery pack 1 is installed in a vehicle, it has a structural feature that necessitates its placement on the front and rear of the vehicle, which causes the problem of difficulty in extinguishing the flames by pouring water directly onto the battery pack 1 from the outside in the event of a fire. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0012] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a battery pack that is easy to extinguish in the event of a fire and ensures safety, and a device including the battery pack.

[0013] However, the problems to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above problems, and can be variously expanded within the scope of the technical ideas included in the present invention. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] A battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention includes: a first pack case that mounts a plurality of battery modules that house stacked battery cells; a second pack case that is positioned to cover the battery modules; and an inlet that is provided at an upper end of the second pack case; and the inlet is connected to a flow path that delivers a fire-extinguishing liquid injected from the outside.

[0015] The inlet may be provided in a region of the second pack case corresponding to a first region and a second region where the plurality of battery modules are connected in a high voltage (HV) manner.

[0016] The inlet may be provided in an area of ​​the second pack case that overlaps vertically with the first area and the second area.

[0017] The first region may be a region where the battery module is electrically connected to an external electrical component, and the second region may be a region where the battery module is electrically connected to another adjacent battery module.

[0018] The inlet may be a rupture disk or valve that is opened by pressure outside or inside the cell.

[0019] The inlet may include a hole that penetrates the second pack case and a lid that covers the hole.

[0020] The lid can be made from a material that melts at a predetermined temperature.

[0021] The lid may be made of PP (Polypropylene), PC (Polycarbonate), or PET (Polyethylene terephthalate).

[0022] A battery pack according to another embodiment further includes a heat insulating member provided inside the second pack case.

[0023] The insulating member may include a first insulating member and a second insulating member, and the first insulating member and the second insulating member may be positioned between the battery module and the second pack case and have a surface parallel to the second pack case.

[0024] The first insulating member may be disposed in an area excluding the first area and the second area, and the second insulating member may be disposed in an area where the battery module is electrically connected to an adjacent battery module.

[0025] The heat insulating member may include a third heat insulating member, and the third heat insulating member may be disposed perpendicular to the first pack case.

[0026] The third heat insulating member may be disposed in a region where the battery module is electrically connected to an adjacent battery module.

[0027] The heat insulating member may include a fourth heat insulating member, and the fourth heat insulating member may be disposed between the plurality of battery cells that make up the battery cell stack.

[0028] The heat insulating member may be one of silicon, MICA, and aerogel.

[0029] A device according to another embodiment of the present invention includes the battery pack described above and a water inlet connected to the flow path for injecting a fire-extinguishing liquid.

[0030] The water inlet may have an area that increases from the flow path towards the outer surface of the device.

[0031] The flow path may branch to correspond to the inlet.

[0032] The flow path may further include a heat-resistant member provided to surround an outer surface of the flow path.

[0033] The heat-resistant member may be one of silicon, MICA, and aerogel. [Effects of the Invention]

[0034] According to the embodiment, by injecting a fire extinguishing liquid such as water into the battery pack, fires can be easily extinguished and safety can be ensured.

[0035] In addition, since no additional parts are required for injecting fire extinguishing liquid, the weight of the battery does not increase and the energy density can be improved.

[0036] The effects of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0037] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a conventional battery pack attached to a device. [Figure 2] and [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a conventional battery pack attached to the device of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic diagram of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention attached to a device. [Figure 5] 1 is a perspective view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the battery pack of FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the battery pack of FIG. 5 receiving fire-extinguishing fluid from the outside. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the flow path of FIG. 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the heat insulating member positioned on the battery module. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing the battery pack and the heat insulating member of FIG. 9. [Figure 11] 7 is a diagram showing a heat insulating member positioned between battery modules attached to the battery pack of FIG. 6. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the battery module and the heat insulating member of FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a heat insulating member positioned between battery cells that constitute a battery module. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0038] The present invention may, however, be embodied in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0039] In order to clearly explain the present invention, parts that are not necessary for the explanation will be omitted, and the same reference numerals will be used throughout the specification to refer to the same or similar components.

[0040] In addition, the size and thickness of each component shown in the drawings are arbitrarily shown for the convenience of explanation, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to those shown in the drawings. In the drawings, thicknesses are exaggerated to clearly show various layers and regions. In the drawings, thicknesses of some layers and regions are exaggerated for the convenience of explanation.

[0041] Furthermore, when a layer, film, region, plate, or other part is said to be "on" or "above" another part, this includes not only the case where it is "directly on" another part, but also the case where there is another part in between. Conversely, when a part is said to be "directly on" another part, it means that there is no other part in between. Furthermore, being "on" or "above" a reference part means being located above or below the reference part, and does not necessarily mean being located "on" or "above" in the direction opposite to gravity.

[0042] Also, throughout the specification, when a part is said to "comprise" a certain element, this means that it may further include other elements, rather than excluding other elements, unless specifically stated to the contrary.

[0043] Also, throughout the specification, "in a plane" means when the subject part is viewed from above, and "in cross section" means when the subject part is cut vertically and viewed from the side.

[0044] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention attached to a device.

[0045] 4, when the battery pack 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed in a device such as an automobile 50, the battery pack 1000 may be disposed at the bottom of the automobile 50. Specifically, the battery pack 1000 may be disposed at the bottom of the center of the automobile 50. The center of the automobile 50 may refer to the inner area of ​​the wheels based on the wheels located at the front and rear of the automobile, and the bottom of the automobile 50 may refer to a position lower than a seat provided in the automobile based on the ground.

[0046] The automobile 50 may include a water inlet 51 which is a hole formed on the outer surface of the automobile 50 and a water inlet cover 53 which covers the water inlet 51 .

[0047] The water inlet 51 may be a hole for allowing a fire-extinguishing liquid to flow into the battery pack 1000 from the outside through a flow path 60 described below.

[0048] There may be one or more water inlets 51. In the drawing, water inlets 51 are formed near the front and rear of the vehicle, one each, based on the center, but the position and number of water inlets 51 are not limited to those shown in the drawing as long as they can inject fire-extinguishing liquid into the battery pack 1000.

[0049] The area (cross-sectional area) of the water inlet 51 may increase from the flow path 60 toward the exterior of the automobile 50. As a result, the area of ​​the water inlet 51 exposed to the outside is greater than the area of ​​the flow path 60, so that when the extinguishing liquid is injected from a long distance, the extinguishing liquid can effectively flow into the water inlet 51. For example, the water inlet 51 may be shaped like a truncated cone, but the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications and variations are possible as long as the structure allows the extinguishing liquid to effectively flow into the water inlet 51.

[0050] The water inlet 51 may include a water inlet cover 53 that covers the water inlet 51. The water inlet cover 53 normally serves to protect the water inlet 51 from foreign matter such as water or dust entering from the outside.

[0051] Water inlet cover 53 is positioned to cover water inlet 51 at a position corresponding to water inlet 51, and can therefore correspond to the positions and number of water inlet 51. Water inlet cover 53 may also correspond to the size of water inlet 51 or may be larger than the size of water inlet 51.

[0052] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 6 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the battery pack of Fig. 5.

[0053] 5 and 6, a battery pack 1000 according to this embodiment includes a first pack case 1100 in which a plurality of battery modules 100 are mounted, and a second pack case 1200 positioned to cover the battery modules 100. Here, the first pack case 1100 and the second pack case 1200 are fastened to each other using a fastening member or are joined together by a method such as welding, thereby sealing the inside of the battery pack 1000.

[0054] A plurality of battery modules 100 may be mounted in the first pack case 1100. The first pack case 1100 may include a side plate 1110 that protrudes in the height direction (z-axis direction) of the battery modules 100 and extends along the edge of the first pack case 1100.

[0055] The side plate 1110 may be a plate that covers both sides of the plurality of battery modules 100. The side plate 1110 may be arranged along all edges of the first pack case 1100, or may be arranged only partially in one edge region of the first pack case 1100 as shown in the drawing. The edges of the side plate 1110 correspond to one edge of the first pack case 1100 and one edge of the second pack case 1200, respectively, and may be fastened using fastening members or connected by a method such as welding.

[0056] The second pack case 1200 may be a case that covers a plurality of battery modules 100. For example, the second pack case 1200 may be a flat plate-shaped case. The second pack case 1200 may have a size corresponding to the size of the first pack case 1100.

[0057] An inlet 2000 may be arranged in one area of ​​the second pack case 1200.

[0058] The inlet 2000 is a passage through which the fire extinguishing liquid injected from the fire water injection port 51 flows into the battery pack 1000 along a flow path, and can be arranged on the second pack case 1200.

[0059] There may be at least one inlet 2000. For example, the number of inlets may be four as shown in Figure 5, or twelve as shown in Figure 6. The number of inlets 2000 is not limited to that shown in this figure and may be changed.

[0060] The inlet 2000 can be arranged in an area of ​​the second pack case 1200 corresponding to the first area A1 and the second area A2 inside the battery pack 1000. The inlet 2000 can be arranged in an area of ​​the second pack case 1200 that overlaps with the first area A1 and the second area A2, specifically, in an area of ​​the second pack case 1200 that overlaps with the first area A1 and the second area A2 in the vertical direction.

[0061] The first area A1 and the second area A2 are areas where the battery modules 100 are electrically connected to an HV (High Voltage) connection. Specifically, the first area A1 is an area where the battery modules 100 are electrically connected to an external electrical component such as a BDU (Battery Disconnect Unit) via a terminal bus bar, and the second area A2 is an area where the opposing battery modules 100 are electrically connected to each other via a module connector, etc. That is, the first area A1 and the second area A2 are areas where high voltage flows, and may have a relatively higher temperature than other areas inside the battery pack 1000, making them more likely to ignite.

[0062] Therefore, the inlet 2000 is located in an area of ​​the second pack case 1200 corresponding to the first area A1 and the second area A2, and in the event of a fire, the fire can be easily extinguished by applying the fire-extinguishing liquid around that area.

[0063] The inlet 2000 may be formed in various shapes. For example, the inlet 2000 may be opened by a predetermined pressure inside the battery pack 1000 or by pressure caused by a fire extinguishing liquid flowing in from outside the battery pack 1000. Preferably, the inlet 2000 may be a rupture disk or a valve.

[0064] As another example, the inlet 2000 may include a hole penetrating the second pack case 1200 and a lid covering the hole. In this case, the lid may be made of a material that melts at a predetermined temperature and can melt in the event of a fire. Specifically, the material forming the lid may be a plastic material. As an example, the lid may be made of PP (Polypropylene), PC (Polycarbonate), or PET (Polyethylene terephthalate).

[0065] According to the above example, the inlet 2000 is not opened under normal circumstances, thereby isolating the inside of the battery pack 1000 from the external environment. Therefore, under normal circumstances, foreign matter such as dust or moisture is prevented from entering the battery pack 1000 from the outside, thereby maintaining the performance of the battery. However, if the battery pack catches fire and exceeds a certain temperature or pressure, the inlet 2000 is opened, allowing the fire-extinguishing liquid injected from the water inlet 51 to flow into the battery pack 1000 and extinguish the fire, thereby making it easy to extinguish the fire and ensuring safety.

[0066] 2 and 3, which are configured for an automobile 5 including an existing internal combustion engine, the battery pack 1000 according to this embodiment corresponds to a model that is only applicable to electric vehicles. Therefore, unlike the conventional battery pack, the battery pack 1000 according to this embodiment differs from the conventional battery pack in the mounting position of the battery module 100, the HV connection structure, and the height and shape of the battery pack 1000. That is, the battery pack 1000 according to this embodiment has an inlet 2000 for receiving the inflow of fire-extinguishing fluid from the outside located in a region of the pack case corresponding to the region where the battery module 100 is HV-connected, thereby enabling more direct and effective suppression of a fire than the conventional battery pack.

[0067] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the battery pack of Fig. 5 being externally injected with fire-extinguishing liquid, and Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the flow path of Fig. 7.

[0068] 7 and 8, the flow path 60 connected to the water inlet 51 is connected to the inlet 2000, and the extinguishing liquid injected from the water inlet 51 moves along the flow path 60 and is injected into the battery pack 1000 through the inlet 2000.

[0069] The flow path 60 may be a pipe, and a heat-resistant member 65 may be provided on the outer surface of the flow path 60. Specifically, the heat-resistant member 65 may be provided so as to surround the outer surface of the flow path 60. Furthermore, the heat-resistant member 65 may be disposed so as to surround not only the outer surface of the flow path 60 connected to the water inlet 51, but also the outer surfaces of all of the branched flow paths 60.

[0070] The heat-resistant member 65 prevents the pipes constituting the flow path 60 from being damaged or melted in the event of a fire, thereby preventing the fire-extinguishing liquid from flowing into the battery pack 1000 due to damage to the flow path 60. The heat-resistant member 65 can be made of a material that does not melt even at high temperatures and has good heat resistance. For example, the heat-resistant member 65 may be made of silicon, MICA (mica), aerogel, etc.

[0071] That is, the flow path 60 can transmit the fire-extinguishing liquid injected from the water inlet 51 to the inlet 2000 while being connected to the water inlet 51. In this case, a plurality of branched flow paths 60 may be arranged corresponding to the inlets 2000, respectively.

[0072] The flow channels 60 may branch in various ways. The flow channels 60 may have a manifold shape. In the drawing, a plurality of flow channels 60 branching from two water inlets 51 are shown to be located at the same number of inlets 2000, respectively. However, this is merely an example, and the flow channels 60 may alternatively branch and be connected to the inlets 2000.

[0073] The flow channel 60 may be positioned in contact with the inlet 2000 or inserted into the inlet 2000. In this case, the size of the inlet 2000 may correspond to the size of the flow channel 60 that is in contact with or inserted into the inlet 2000. Alternatively, the size of the inlet 2000 may be larger than the size of the flow channel 60 for reasons of ease of assembly between the flow channel 60 and the inlet 2000 or manufacturing process.

[0074] In other words, since the flow path 60 connected to the water inlet 51 is branched to correspond to the inlet 2000, even a small number of water inlets 51 can apply fire-extinguishing liquid to a large number of inlets 2000, thereby making it possible to quickly and easily extinguish a fire and ensuring fire-extinguishing efficiency and safety.

[0075] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a heat insulating member positioned on a battery module. Fig. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing the battery pack and heat insulating member of Fig. 9. Referring to Figs. 9 and 10, the heat insulating member 3000 is positioned inside the battery pack 1000, and can delay the time it takes for the fire to be exposed to the outside from the battery pack 1000 in the event of a fire.

[0076] The heat insulating member 3000 may be disposed on the battery module 100. Specifically, the heat insulating member 3000 may be disposed between the battery module 100 and a second pack case (not shown).

[0077] The heat insulating member 3000 may be made of a material having heat insulating and heat resistant properties. For example, the heat insulating member 3000 may be made of silicon, MICA, aerogel, or the like.

[0078] The heat insulating member 3000 includes a first heat insulating member 3100 and / or a second heat insulating member 3200. The first heat insulating member 3100 and the second heat insulating member 3200 may be provided with a surface parallel to the second pack case.

[0079] The first insulating member 3100 may be disposed on the battery module 100. Specifically, the first insulating member 3100 may be disposed on one surface of the battery module 100 in the height direction (z-axis direction), thereby delaying the time it takes for the flame to be exposed to the outside through the second pack case 1200 of the battery pack 1000, if a fire occurs in the battery module. In addition, by preventing the heat generated from the battery module 100 from being directly transferred to the second pack case 1200, the time it takes for the flame to occur can be delayed, minimizing damage to personnel and property.

[0080] The first heat insulating member 3100 may have an area corresponding to the area of ​​the battery module 100 or larger than the area of ​​the battery module 100 .

[0081] First, the area of ​​the first insulating member 3100 may correspond to the area of ​​the battery module 100. Specifically, the area of ​​the first insulating member 3100 may correspond to the area of ​​one surface of the battery module 100 in the height direction (z-axis direction). In this case, the number of first insulating members 3100 may correspond to the number of battery modules 100.

[0082] Alternatively, the area of ​​the first insulating member 3100 may be larger than the area of ​​one surface of the battery module 100 in the height direction (z-axis direction). In this case, the first insulating member 3100 is positioned to cover one or more battery modules 100, and the number of first insulating members 3100 may be smaller than the number of battery modules 100. However, even in this case, the first insulating member 3100 does not have to be positioned to cover the first area A1 and the second area A2 inside the battery pack. That is, the first insulating member 3100 is positioned to cover only the battery modules 100, and not to cover the first area A1 and the second area A2, so that the fire-extinguishing liquid applied from the inlet 2000 located in an area of ​​the second pack case 1200 corresponding to the first area A1 and the second area A2 can more effectively flow into the battery module 100 and the battery cells.

[0083] The second insulating member 3200 may be disposed in a region corresponding to a region where adjacent battery modules 100 are electrically connected. For example, the second insulating member 3200 may be disposed in a region corresponding to the second region A2 in Fig. 6. In this case, the area of ​​the second insulating member 3200 may correspond to the area of ​​the second region A2. The second insulating member 3200 may be disposed to cover the second region A2.

[0084] The location of the second heat insulating member 3200 prevents heat generated in the second region A2 from being transferred to the second pack case 1200 or other components of the battery pack, thereby preventing the occurrence of a fire. In addition, if a fire occurs between battery modules 100, the high temperature heat and flame are not immediately transferred to the second pack case 1200 of the battery pack 1000, thereby delaying the time until the flame is exposed to the outside, thereby ensuring safety.

[0085] However, even if the second insulating member 3200 is positioned to cover the second area A2, the first area A1 to which the battery module 100 is electrically connected via HV remains open, so the fire-extinguishing liquid applied to the inside of the battery pack 1000 through the inlet 2000 should be able to flow directly and effectively into the battery module 100 and the battery cells.

[0086] In this drawing, the first insulating member 3100 and the second insulating member 3200 are shown to be located together inside the battery pack 1000, but this is not limited to this, and the first insulating member 3100 or the second insulating member 3200 may be located separately, or a combination of these may be provided.

[0087] Fig. 11 is a diagram showing a heat insulating member positioned between battery modules attached to the battery pack of Fig. 6. Fig. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the battery modules and heat insulating member of Fig. 10.

[0088] The contents described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12 are modifications of the embodiment of the present invention described above, and detailed description of the same configuration as that described above will be omitted.

[0089] 11 and 12, the heat insulating member 3000 includes a third heat insulating member 3300, which can be disposed perpendicular to the first pack case 1100.

[0090] The third insulating member 3300 may be disposed between the battery modules 100. Specifically, the third insulating member 3300 may be disposed in an area where adjacent battery modules 100 are electrically connected to each other.

[0091] As an example, the third insulating member 3300 can be disposed in an area corresponding to the second area A2 in Fig. 6. The third insulating member 3300 can be disposed between adjacent battery modules 100 in the second area A2 in Fig. 6.

[0092] Specifically, one side of the third insulating member 3300 may be disposed facing the front side of one of the adjacent battery modules 100, and the other side of the third insulating member 3300 may be disposed facing the rear side of the remaining of the adjacent battery modules 100. The front and rear sides of the battery module 100 are sides where the battery module 100 is electrically connected to the adjacent battery module 100 or other electrical components, and refer to the sides in the y-axis and -y-axis directions in the drawings.

[0093] The shape of the third insulating member 3300 may correspond to the shape of the front or rear surface of the battery module 100. For example, the width (x-axis direction) of the third insulating member 3300 may correspond to the width (x-axis direction) of the battery module 100, and the height (z-axis direction) of the third insulating member 3300 may correspond to the height (z-axis direction) of the battery module 100. That is, the third insulating member 3300 may correspond to the size of the front or rear surface of the battery module 100. However, the shape of the third insulating member 3300 is not limited thereto. As an example, although not shown in the drawings, the shape of the third insulating member 3300 may be larger or smaller than the shape of the front or rear surface of the battery module 100. When the shape of the third insulating member 3300 is larger than the shape of the front or rear surface of the battery module 100, the third insulating member 3300 is positioned to cover the front or rear surface of one or more battery modules 100.

[0094] The third insulating member 3300 is located between adjacent battery modules 100 in an area where the battery modules 100 are electrically connected to each other, thereby preventing heat transfer caused by high voltage and minimizing the risk of fire. In addition, even if a fire occurs in one battery module 100, it is prevented from spreading to an adjacent battery module, thereby preventing thermal runaway.

[0095] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the heat insulating members positioned between the battery cells that make up the battery module.

[0096] Referring to FIG. 13 , a battery module 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a battery cell stack 120 in which a plurality of battery cells 110 are stacked in one direction, a heat insulating member 3000 positioned between the battery cells 110 that constitute the battery cell stack 120, module frames 210, 220 that accommodate the battery cell stack 120, a bus bar structure 300 positioned on the front and / or rear surface of the battery cell stack 120, and an end plate 400 that covers the front and / or rear surface of the battery cell stack 120.

[0097] Here, the battery cell 110 is not particularly limited in type and may be a pouch-type secondary battery or a square-type secondary battery, but is preferably a pouch-type secondary battery.

[0098] The battery cell 110 may be configured in a plurality of pieces, and the plurality of battery cells 110 may be stacked so as to be electrically connected to each other to form a battery cell stack 120. As shown in the drawing, the plurality of battery cells 110 may be stacked along a direction parallel to the x-axis.

[0099] The module frames 210, 220 may include a first frame 210 and a second frame 220, and the battery cell stack 120 may be mounted between the first frame 210 and the second frame 220 to form the battery module 100. However, the module frames 210, 220 are not limited to the above, and may be monoframes made of a metal plate material with top, bottom, and both side surfaces integrated together.

[0100] The busbar structure 300 includes a busbar frame and a busbar attached to one surface of the busbar frame. The busbar is attached to one surface of the busbar frame and may be used to electrically connect the battery cell stack 120 or the battery cells 110 to an external device circuit.

[0101] The end plates 400 may serve to protect the battery cell stack 120 and the electrical components connected thereto from external physical impact by sealing the open side of the module frame 200. To this end, the end plates 400 may be made of a material having a predetermined strength. For example, the end plates 400 may include a metal such as aluminum.

[0102] The heat insulating member 3000 can be disposed between the battery cells 110 that make up the battery cell stack 120, and is a fourth heat insulating member 3400.

[0103] At least one fourth heat insulating member 3400 may be provided between the battery cell stacks 120 .

[0104] The size of the fourth insulating member 3400 may correspond to the size of the battery cell 110. Specifically, the size of the fourth insulating member 3400 may correspond to the size of one surface of the battery cell 110 located opposite the fourth insulating member 3400. For example, the length (y-axis direction) of the fourth insulating member 3400 may correspond to the length (y-axis direction) of the battery cell 110, and the height (z-axis direction) of the fourth insulating member 3400 may correspond to the height (z-axis direction) of the battery cell 110. However, this is not limited thereto, and although not shown in the drawings, the shape of the fourth insulating member 3400 may be larger or smaller than the size of the battery cell 110.

[0105] The fourth insulating member 3400 is positioned between the battery cells 110 constituting the battery cell stack 120, thereby preventing heat generated from the battery cells 110 during battery charge and discharge from being easily transferred to adjacent battery cells 110. This is because if a large amount of high-temperature heat is generated from a battery cell 110, the electrolyte may evaporate, increasing the internal pressure of the battery cell 110 and rupturing the battery cell pouch, which could result in a fire or explosion. Therefore, the fourth insulating member 3400 prevents heat from being easily transferred between the battery cells 110, thereby minimizing the risk of fire. Furthermore, even if the battery cells 110 swell during battery charge and discharge, the presence of the fourth insulating member 3400 can prevent the extent of the swelling.

[0106] The heat insulating members 3000 described in FIGS. 9 to 13 can be provided in the battery module and the battery pack individually or in various combinations.

[0107] The battery module and the battery pack including the same can be applied to various devices, including transportation means such as electric bicycles, electric cars, and hybrid cars, but the present invention is not limited thereto and can be applied to various devices that can use the battery module and the battery pack including the same, which also fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0108] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art using the basic concept of the present invention defined in the following claims also fall within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0109] 50: Automobiles 51: Water inlet 60: Flow path 65: Heat-resistant material 100: Battery module 1000: Battery pack 1100: 1st pack case 1200: 2nd pack case 2000:Inlet 3000: Heat insulating material

Claims

1. a first pack case that accommodates a plurality of battery modules that house battery cell stacks; a second pack case positioned to cover the battery module; and an inlet provided at an upper end of the second pack case; The inlet is connected to a flow path for transmitting a fire-extinguishing liquid injected from the outside of the battery pack.

2. 2. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein the inlet is provided in a region of the second pack case corresponding to a first region and a second region where the plurality of battery modules are connected in a high voltage (HV) configuration.

3. The battery pack according to claim 2 , wherein the inlet is provided in an area of ​​the second pack case that overlaps the first area and the second area in a vertical direction.

4. the first region is a region where the battery module is electrically connected to an external electrical component via an HV connection; The battery pack of claim 2 , wherein the second region is a region where the battery module is electrically connected to another adjacent battery module via an HV connection.

5. 2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the inlet is a rupture disk or a valve that is opened by pressure outside or inside the battery.

6. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the inlet includes a hole penetrating the second pack case and a lid portion covering the hole.

7. The battery pack according to claim 6 , wherein the lid portion is formed from a material that melts at a predetermined temperature.

8. The battery pack according to claim 7 , wherein the lid portion is made of PP (Polypropylene), PC (Polycarbonate), or PET (Polyethylene terephthalate).

9. The battery pack according to claim 2 , further comprising a heat insulating member provided inside the second pack case.

10. the heat insulating member includes a first heat insulating member and a second heat insulating member, The battery pack according to claim 9 , wherein the first heat insulating member and the second heat insulating member are located between the battery module and the second pack case and have a surface parallel to the second pack case.

11. the first heat insulating member is located in a region excluding the first region and the second region, The battery pack of claim 10 , wherein the second insulating member is located in a region where the battery module is electrically connected to an adjacent battery module.

12. the heat insulating member includes a third heat insulating member, The battery pack according to claim 9 , wherein the third insulating member is positioned perpendicular to the first pack case.

13. The battery pack of claim 12 , wherein the third insulating member is located in a region where the battery module is electrically connected to an adjacent battery module.

14. the heat insulating member includes a fourth heat insulating member, The battery pack according to claim 9 , wherein the fourth insulating member is positioned between a plurality of battery cells that constitute the battery cell stack.

15. The battery pack according to claim 9 , wherein the heat insulating member is one of silicon, mica (MICA), and aerogel.

16. The battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 15, and a water inlet connected to the flow path for injecting a fire-extinguishing fluid;

17. 17. The device of claim 16, wherein the water inlet increases in area from the flow path toward the exterior surface of the device.

18. The device of claim 16 , wherein the flow path is branched to correspond to the inlet.

19. 17. The device of claim 16, wherein the flow path further comprises a heat-resistant member disposed around an outer surface of the flow path.

20. 20. The device of claim 19, wherein the heat-resistant member is one of silicon, MICA (mica), and aerogel.

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