Battery pack and automobile including same

Abstract

Each battery pack according to the present invention includes a plurality of battery modules each equipped with a sensor element for detecting gas or heat, a pack case including a wall frame surrounding the battery modules and having a gas vent path therein that communicates with the battery modules, and a vent path cooling unit that cools the gas vent path by causing a refrigerant to flow through the wall frame based on a danger signal generated by the sensor element.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack, and more particularly to a technique for preventing a fire from spreading rapidly in the event of an internal fire in a battery pack.

[0002] This application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0016870, filed on February 8, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety in the specification and drawings thereof. [Background technology]

[0003] Secondary batteries are attracting attention as a new energy source that is environmentally friendly and improves energy efficiency, not only because they have the main advantage of dramatically reducing the use of fossil fuels, but also because they do not produce any by-products from energy use.

[0004] Therefore, secondary batteries are increasingly being applied to various devices. For example, they are widely used as energy sources for wireless mobile devices and wearable devices, which are small multi-functional products, and also as energy sources and energy storage systems (ESS) for electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles, which are proposed as alternatives to existing gasoline and diesel vehicles.

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

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

[0007] Conventional battery packs include pack structures such as cross beams between battery modules. In the event of a thermal event, the cross beams prevent heat transfer between the battery modules, temporarily delaying the risk of a chain reaction. However, if a battery module continues to ignite, the large amount of high-temperature gas emitted from the battery module can cause thermal damage to other surrounding battery modules, potentially accelerating the chain reaction. This can further increase internal pressure, potentially leading to structural collapse or explosion of the battery pack. Therefore, conventional battery packs are configured to allow gas to be released to the outside by providing a vent hole in the pack case. However, if a large amount of high-temperature gas and flames are strongly emitted outside the battery pack, there is a problem in that the fire may rapidly spread not only to the battery pack but also to other structures outside the battery pack, such as an entire vehicle equipped with the battery pack. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and one object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack that can prevent high-temperature gas and flames from being forcefully ejected outside the battery pack in the event of an internal fire in the battery pack.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack that can delay the propagation of thermal runaway between battery modules as much as possible.

[0010] The technical problems that the present invention aims to solve are not limited to the above problems, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention given below. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The battery pack according to the present invention may include a plurality of battery modules, each of which is equipped with a sensor element that detects gas or heat; a pack case including a wall frame that surrounds the battery modules and has a gas vent path therein that communicates with the battery modules; and a vent path cooling unit that cools the gas vent path by causing a refrigerant to flow through the wall frame based on a danger signal generated by the sensor element.

[0012] The vent path cooling unit may include a refrigerant channel that provides a passage for refrigerant to move inside and outside the wall frame, and a coolant control unit that receives a danger signal from the sensor member and circulates refrigerant in the refrigerant channel.

[0013] The coolant channel may include an internal wall channel provided inside the wall frame where the gas vent path is located, and an external wall channel communicating with the internal wall channel and provided outside the wall frame.

[0014] The wall frame may have a channel connector on at least one side, and may be configured so that the wall inner channel and the wall outer channel can be connected and disconnected via the channel connector.

[0015] The pack case may include a base plate supporting lower portions of the plurality of battery modules, a pack tray including the wall frame arranged upright on the base plate along the outer periphery of the base plate, and a pack cover provided to cover an upper opening portion opened by the pack tray.

[0016] The wall frame may be made of a thermally conductive material so that the coolant channel and the gas vent path can exchange heat with each other.

[0017] The wall frame may include a gas inlet wall having the gas vent path and at least one gas inlet connected to the battery module so that gas in the battery module flows into the gas vent path, and a gas outlet wall having the gas vent path and a gas outlet provided in the gas vent path so that gas is discharged to the outside of the pack case.

[0018] The coolant channels may be formed in the gas inlet wall and the gas outlet wall, at least a portion of which extends parallel to the gas vent path.

[0019] Within the gas inlet wall and the gas outlet wall, the coolant channel may be configured in a round track shape surrounding the gas vent path.

[0020] The sensor member may include at least one of a temperature sensor that senses a temperature change of the battery module and a gas sensor that senses a gas generated in the battery module.

[0021] The sensor member may be configured to send a danger signal to the vent path cooling unit when a state in which a temperature change rate (dT / dt) of the battery module is greater than 1°C based on a preset critical temperature continues for 3 seconds or more.

[0022] The pack tray may include a partition wall disposed on the upper surface of the base plate and dividing the internal space of the pack tray horizontally or vertically.

[0023] The base plate may include a bottom channel formed therein, and the bottom channel may be configured to include a plurality of channels so that a coolant can flow in each area of ​​the base plate corresponding to the position of each battery module.

[0024] The coolant control unit may be configured to selectively supply refrigerant to the bottom flow path based on the danger signal so that the refrigerant flows intensively to an area of ​​the base plate where other battery modules adjacent to the battery module that sent the danger signal are located among the plurality of battery modules.

[0025] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle including the battery pack described above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0026] According to one aspect of the present invention, a battery pack can be provided that can prevent high-temperature gas and flames from being forcefully ejected outside the battery pack when an internal fire occurs in the battery pack.

[0027] According to another aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a battery pack in which the propagation of thermal runaway between battery modules is delayed as much as possible.

[0028] The effects of the present invention are not limited to those described above, and unmentioned effects will be clearly understood by those having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains from this specification and the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of the battery pack of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a gas vent path, a coolant channel, and a pack tray configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the right side wall taken along line BB' in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the front wall taken along CC' in FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 6]2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the battery pack taken along line AA' in FIG. 1. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of a cooling operation for a gas vent path of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from below. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically illustrating a cooling system configuration of the battery pack of FIG. 8. [Figure 10] 9 is a diagram showing the flow of cooling water when a thermal event occurs in a battery module of the battery pack of FIG. 8. FIG. [Figure 11] 9 is a diagram showing the flow of cooling water when a thermal event occurs in a battery module of the battery pack of FIG. 8. FIG. [Figure 12] 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle including a battery pack according to the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Prior to this, the terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be construed as being limited to their ordinary and dictionary meanings, but should be construed as meanings and concepts corresponding to the technical ideas of the present invention, based on the principle that the inventors themselves can appropriately define the concepts of terms in order to best describe the invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the configurations shown in the embodiments described in this specification are merely the most preferred embodiment of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical ideas of the present invention, and therefore various equivalents and modifications that can be substituted therefor may exist at the time of filing this application.

[0031] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of the battery pack of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a gas vent path, a refrigerant channel, and a pack tray according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the right side wall taken along line B-B' of FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the front wall taken along line C-C' of FIG. 3, FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the battery pack taken along line A-A' of FIG. 1, and FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an example of cooling operation for the gas vent path of a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Referring to these drawings, a battery pack 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of battery modules 100, a pack case 200, and a vent path cooling unit 300.

[0033] The battery module 100 can be said to be an energy storage device in which battery cells 120 are electrically connected to have a predetermined capacity and output. The battery module 100 may include components (not shown) such as bus bars for electrically connecting the battery cells 120 to each other, components (not shown) for sensing the voltage of the battery cells, and a module case that can accommodate the components including the battery cells 120 together.

[0034] The battery cell 120 may be any type of battery cell 120 known at the time of filing of the present application. For example, any type of battery cell may be applied to the battery module 100, such as a can-type battery cell having a substantially cylindrical or rectangular shape in which an electrode assembly and an electrolyte are hermetically sealed in a metal can-type exterior material, or a pouch-type battery cell having a substantially plate-like shape in which an electrode assembly and an electrolyte are hermetically sealed in a pouch-type exterior material.

[0035] The module case is a structure for supporting the battery cells 120 to prevent them from moving and for protecting them from external impacts, and may be made of a material with high mechanical rigidity. In this embodiment, the module case may be formed in a substantially rectangular box shape including four side portions covering the front, rear, left, and right sides of the battery cells 120, and upper and lower portions covering the top and bottom of the battery cells 120.

[0036] In particular, the battery module 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a sensor member 110. The sensor member 110 may include at least one of a temperature sensor that senses a temperature change of the battery module 100 and a gas sensor that senses a gas generated in the battery module 100.

[0037] The sensor member 110 may be attached to the outside or inside of the module case. The sensor member 110 may be configured to be able to communicate with a coolant control unit 320 of the vent path cooling unit 300 (described later) via wire or wirelessly. Thus, when a thermal event occurs in the battery module 100, the sensor member 110 can transmit a danger signal to the coolant control unit 320 or another external device. For example, the external device may include an ECU (electronic control unit) of an electric vehicle in which the battery pack 10 is mounted. In this case, the ECU can output a warning sound and a warning message to a display or the like in the vehicle based on the danger signal, allowing the driver to take prompt action.

[0038] The pack case 200 is configured to accommodate a plurality of the battery modules 100. For example, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the pack case 200 includes a pack tray 210 and a pack cover 220. The pack tray 210 is provided in the shape of a box with an open top so that the battery modules 100 can be accommodated therein, and the pack cover 220 may be provided as a plate-like member capable of covering the open top portion of the pack tray 210.

[0039] 2, the pack tray 210 may include a base plate 215, a wall frame 211, and a partition wall 216. The base plate 215 may be provided as a plate-like body having a large area capable of supporting the lower portions of the plurality of battery modules 100. In addition, as will be described later, the base plate 215 may include bottom channels 217(A) to 217(F) through which a refrigerant flows to function as a heat sink.

[0040] The partition wall 216 is a structure provided on the upper surface of the base plate 215, and divides the internal space of the pack tray 210 horizontally or vertically. For example, as shown in Fig. 2, the internal space of the pack tray 210 is divided by the partition wall 216, and the battery module 100 can be disposed in the divided space.

[0041] The partition wall 216 functions to absorb shock and vibration in an environment where external shock and vibration are applied, thereby preventing deformation of the pack tray 210. In addition, the partition wall 216 also functions as a firewall that blocks the transfer of heat and flames between the battery modules 100 in the event of an internal fire in the battery pack 10.

[0042] The wall frame 211 is a side portion of the pack tray 210 and is arranged upright on the base plate 215 along the outer periphery of the base plate 215, and can be provided in the form of a wall surrounding a plurality of battery modules 100.

[0043] In particular, the wall frame 211 has a gas vent path 212 therein that communicates with the battery module 100. Here, the gas vent path 212 refers to a gas or flame exhaust path for discharging high-temperature gas or flame emitted from the battery module 100 to the outside of the battery pack 10.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 3, the wall frame 211 may include gas inlet walls 211a, 211b having a gas vent path 212 and at least one gas inlet 212a connected to the battery module so that gas generated in the battery module 100 flows into the gas vent path 212, and a gas outlet wall 211c having the gas vent path 212 and at least one gas outlet 212b provided so that gas can be discharged from the gas vent path 212 to the outside of the pack case 200.

[0045] According to this configuration, in the battery pack 10 of the present invention, when a thermal event occurs in a battery module 100, high-temperature gas or flames can move along the inside of the wall frame 211 and be discharged to the outside of the pack case 200 through the gas outlet 212b provided on one side of the pack case 200. In this case, the high-temperature gas or flames emitted from the battery module 100 can be discharged to the outside of the battery pack 10 while minimizing the diffusion of the high-temperature gas or flames into the internal space of the pack case 200. Therefore, it is possible to prevent chain fires or explosions of the battery pack 10 due to heat accumulation inside the battery pack 10, an increase in internal pressure, or heat propagation between the battery modules 100.

[0046] More specifically, the wall frame 211 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a right side wall 211a, a left side wall 211b, a front wall 211c, and a rear wall 211d that are arranged upright on the base plate 215 along the outer periphery of the base plate 215 and surround the battery module 100, as shown in FIG.

[0047] 3, the right side wall 211a and the left side wall 211b may include a gas vent path 212 provided inside the wall and a gas inlet 212a provided on an inner wall surface and connectable to the battery module 100. For example, each battery module 100 may further include a module vent pipe 130, and the module vent pipe 130 and the gas inlet 212a may be connectable to each other. As a result, gas or flame inside each battery module 100 may flow into the gas vent path 212 through the module vent pipe 130 and the gas inlet 212a. That is, in this embodiment, the right side wall 211a and the left side wall 211b correspond to gas inlet walls.

[0048] 3, the front wall 211c may include a gas vent path 212 provided inside the wall and a gas outlet 212b provided on the outer wall and communicating with the gas vent path 212. Preferably, a metal mesh may be further attached to the gas outlet 212b to prevent high-temperature particles or flames from easily passing through.

[0049] The front wall 211c includes two gas vent paths 212. In Fig. 3, the gas vent path 212 on the right side of the front wall 211c is connected to the gas vent path 212 on the right side wall 211a, and the gas vent path 212 on the left side of the front wall 211c is connected to the gas vent path 212 on the left side wall 211b. Therefore, for example, gas generated in a battery module 100 arranged on the right side may flow into the gas vent path 212 on the right side wall 211a, move to the gas vent path 212 on the right side of the front wall 211c, and be discharged to the outside of the pack case 200 through the right gas outlet 212b. In addition, gas generated in the battery module 100 arranged on the left side flows into the gas vent path 212 in the left side wall 211b, moves to the left gas vent path 212 in the front wall 211c, and can be discharged to the outside of the pack case 200 through the left gas outlet 212b. That is, in this embodiment, the front wall 211c corresponds to the gas outlet wall.

[0050] In this embodiment, the wall frame 211 is configured so that the right side wall 211a and the left side wall 211b correspond to the gas inlet wall, and the front wall corresponds to the gas outlet wall. However, depending on the arrangement structure of the battery module 100, for example, the positions of the gas inlet wall and the gas outlet wall can be changed to be different from those in this embodiment.

[0051] Meanwhile, when high-temperature gas or flame generated in the battery module 100 moves through the wall frame 211 along the gas vent path 212, the temperature of the wall frame 211 increases significantly, and as a result, the heat of the wall frame 211 may be conducted to other battery modules 100. Furthermore, if a large amount of high-temperature gas or flame is directly discharged outside the battery pack 10, there is a risk that the fire may spread rapidly to structures outside the battery pack 10.

[0052] The battery pack according to the present invention can eliminate the above-mentioned risks by using the vent path cooling unit 300. The vent path cooling unit 300 will now be described in detail.

[0053] The vent path cooling unit 300 may be configured to cool the gas vent path 212 by causing a coolant to flow through the wall frame 211 based on a danger signal generated by the sensor member 110 of each battery module 100.

[0054] Referring to Figures 3 to 7, the vent path cooling unit 300 may include a refrigerant channel 310 that provides a passage for refrigerant to move inside and outside the wall frame 211, and a coolant control unit 320 that receives a danger signal from the sensor member 110 and circulates refrigerant in the refrigerant channel 310.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 3, the coolant channel 310 includes a wall internal channel 311 provided inside the wall frame 211 where the gas vent path 212 is located, and a wall external channel 312 connected to the wall internal channel 311 and provided outside the wall frame 211.

[0056] The wall internal channel 311 may be provided inside the gas inlet wall and the gas outlet wall, like the gas vent path 212. That is, in this embodiment, the wall internal channel 311 is provided inside the right side wall 211a, the left side wall 211b, and the front wall 211c of the wall frame 211 where the gas vent path 212 is located.

[0057] For example, as shown in Fig. 4, a gas vent path 212 and a wall internal channel 311 around it may be provided in the right side wall 211a of the wall frame 211, and as shown in Fig. 5, a gas vent path 212 and a wall internal channel 311 around it may also be provided in the front wall 211c of the wall frame 211. The wall internal channel 311 of the right side wall 211a and the wall internal channel 311 of the front wall 211c may be connected to each other so as to cross each other. Similarly, a wall internal channel 311 may also be provided in the left side wall 211b of the wall frame 211, and the wall internal channel 311 of the left side wall 211b may be connected to the wall internal channel 311 of the adjacent front wall 211c so as to cross each other.

[0058] The coolant channel 310 may extend at least partially parallel to the gas vent path 212. The coolant channel 310 may also be configured in the shape of a round track surrounding the gas vent path 212, as shown in FIG.

[0059] For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the wall internal channel 311 includes a first straight section 311a and a second straight section 311c extending parallel to the gas vent path 212 above and below the gas vent path 212 of the right side wall 211a, respectively, and a first curved section 311b surrounding one end of the gas vent path 212 and connecting the first straight section 311a and the second straight section 311c.

[0060] 5, the wall interior channel 311 includes a third straight section 311d and a fourth straight section 311f extending parallel to the gas vent path 212 above and below the gas vent path 212 of the front wall 211c, respectively, and a second curved section 311e surrounding the other end of the gas vent path 212 and connecting the third straight section 311d and the fourth straight section 311f. The first straight section 311a and the third straight section 311d may be connected to each other so as to intersect, and the second straight section 311c and the fourth straight section 311f may be connected to each other so as to intersect. The wall frame 211 including the wall interior channel 311 and the gas vent path 212 may be made of a thermally conductive metal material. As a result, when a coolant flows through the coolant channel 310, heat exchange occurs between the coolant channel 310 and the gas vent path 212, thereby cooling the gas vent path 212.

[0061] According to this embodiment, the wall inner channel 311 is provided to entirely surround the gas vent path 212, thereby enabling more effective and concentrated cooling of the gas vent path 212. Therefore, high-temperature gas or flame loses heat while moving along the cooled gas vent path 212, causing the flame to extinguish and allowing the gas to be discharged to the outside of the battery pack 10 in a low-temperature state.

[0062] 2, the wall external channel 312 is disposed outside the wall frame 211 and may be provided in the form of a pipe connected to the wall internal channel 311. The wall external channel 312 may be provided in pairs. The refrigerant may flow into the wall internal channel 311 through one of the two wall external channels 312 and flow out of the wall internal channel 311 through the other.

[0063] The wall frame 211 may have a channel connector 213 on at least one side thereof. The wall inner channel 311 and the wall outer channel 312 may be configured to be connectable and disconnectable to each other via the channel connector 213.

[0064] 2, a pair of channel connectors 213 may be provided in an area where the right side wall 211a and the front wall 211c intersect, and in an area where the left side wall 211b and the front wall 211c intersect. The channel connector 213 may be configured such that a portion thereof communicates with the wall internal channel 311 inside the wall frame 211, and the remaining portion thereof protrudes outside the wall frame 211. The outer diameter of the channel connector 213 and the inner diameter of the wall external channel 312 may be configured to be fastened together using a screw method. In this case, the wall internal channel 311 and the wall external channel 312 can be easily connected, and once connected, the wall external channel 312 is not easily separated from the wall internal channel 311 even when strong water pressure is applied.

[0065] According to this embodiment, the refrigerant can be easily supplied from the outside of the pack case 200 to the inside of the wall frame 211. As indicated by the arrows in Figures 4 and 5, the refrigerant flows along the wall internal channel 311 of the right side wall 211a and the wall internal channel 311 of the front wall 211c, and after absorbing heat, the refrigerant can be discharged again to the outside of the pack case 200 through the wall external channel 312.

[0066] Next, an example of the cooling operation of the gas vent path 212 of the battery pack 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0067] 6, each battery module 100 may be configured such that the module vent pipe 130 is connected to the gas inlet 212a of the gas vent path 212. That is, the battery pack 10 of the present invention may be configured such that all battery modules 100 communicate with the gas vent path 212 in the right side wall 211a or the gas vent path 212 in the left side wall 211b.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 7, for example, when a thermal event occurs in the third battery module 100 and the fifth battery module 100, the sensor element 110 of the third battery module 100 and the sensor element 110 of the fifth battery module 100 detect the thermal event and send a danger signal to the coolant control unit 320.

[0069] Here, the sensor member 110 may be configured to transmit a danger signal to the coolant control unit 320 when a state in which a temperature change rate of the battery module 100 is greater than 1° C. based on a preset critical temperature ((dT / dt)>1° C.) continues for 3 seconds or more. Here, the preset critical temperature may refer to the highest value within a normal temperature range of the battery module 100 when the battery cells 120 are charged or discharged.

[0070] The operating conditions of the sensor member 110 are set as described above because if the temperature change rate of the battery module 100 is 1°C or less based on the preset critical temperature or if the state where it is greater than 1°C continues for less than three seconds, it can be considered a normal temperature change during operation of the battery module 100, and in this case, it is not necessary to supply refrigerant to the wall frame 211. However, if the state where the temperature change rate of the battery module 100 is greater than 1°C based on the critical temperature continues for three seconds or more, the possibility of the battery module 100 catching fire increases over time. In this case, it is necessary to preemptively inject refrigerant into the gas vent path 212 to cool it down before the battery module 100 actually ignites.

[0071] The coolant control section 320 may optionally include a cooling chiller connected to the refrigerant channel 310, a communications modem capable of communicating with the sensor element 110, and other processors, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), logic circuits, registers, and data processing devices known in the art.

[0072] As described above, when a danger signal is sent from the sensor element 110 of the third battery module 100 and the sensor element 110 of the fifth battery module 100 to the coolant control unit 320, the cooling chiller is activated to circulate refrigerant through the refrigerant channel 310, thereby cooling the wall frame 211 and the gas vent path 212 provided therein. In this case, the gas and flame discharged from the third battery module 100 and the fifth battery module 100 lose heat while traveling along the cooled gas vent path 212, causing the flame to extinguish and the cooled gas to be discharged to the outside of the pack case 200 through the gas outlet 212b.

[0073] As described above, the configuration of the present invention can prevent high-temperature gas and flames from being forcefully ejected outside the battery pack 10 in the event of an internal ignition of the battery pack 10, thereby improving the ignition safety of the battery pack 10.

[0074] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention, viewed from below; FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically illustrating the cooling system configuration of the battery pack of FIG. 8; and FIGS. 10 and 11 are diagrams illustrating the flow of cooling water when a thermal event occurs in a battery module of the battery pack of FIG. 8.

[0075] A battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to these drawings. Compared to the battery packs according to the above-described embodiments, the battery pack according to the other embodiment of the present invention may further include a component capable of cooling the battery module 100.

[0076] For example, a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention may further include bottom channels 217(A) to 217(F) inside a base plate 215 of a pack tray 210 as shown in FIG.

[0077] The bottom channels 217(A) to 217(F) may be configured in plural so that the refrigerant flows in each region of the base plate 215 corresponding to the position of each battery module 100.

[0078] That is, when considering Fig. 8 together with Fig. 7, the first to sixth battery modules 100 shown in Fig. 7 and the six bottom channels 217(A) to 217(F) shown in Fig. 8 are arranged in one-to-one corresponding positions. Therefore, each battery module 100 can be cooled intensively by the corresponding bottom channel 217(A) to 217(F).

[0079] 9, the bottom flow paths 217(A) to 217(F) may be connected to an inlet pipeline IP and an outlet pipeline OP that are connected outside the pack case 200. The inlet pipeline IP and the outlet pipeline OP may be connected to a coolant control unit 320. Flow control valves may be provided at the portions where the inlet pipeline IP branches off to the bottom flow paths 217(A) to 217(F) and at the portions where the outlet pipeline OP branches off to the bottom flow paths 217(A) to 217(F). The flow rates of the refrigerant supplied to the bottom flow paths 217(A) to 217(F) can be controlled by opening and closing the flow control valves.

[0080] Although details are not shown for convenience of the drawings, the refrigerant flows into the bottom flow paths 217(A) to 217(F) through the inlet pipeline IP to absorb heat from the battery module 100, exits the pack case 200 through the outlet pipeline OP, moves to the coolant control unit 320, and after being cooled again in the coolant control unit 320, moves along the inlet pipeline IP and flows back into each bottom flow path 217(A) to 217(F).

[0081] In particular, in another embodiment of the present invention, the coolant control unit 320 may be configured to selectively supply refrigerant to the bottom flow paths 217(A) to 217(F) based on the danger signal generated by the sensor member 110 so that the refrigerant flows intensively to an area of ​​the base plate 215 where the battery module 100 that sent the danger signal and other surrounding battery modules 100 are located among the plurality of battery modules 100.

[0082] For example, as shown in FIG. 10, if a thermal event occurs in the fifth battery module 100 (see FIG. 7), the second, fourth, and sixth battery modules 100 adjacent to the fifth battery module 100 can be cooled intensively, thereby delaying as much as possible the heat transfer from the fifth battery module 100 to the adjacent second, fourth, and sixth battery modules 100. In this case, the flow control valves can be opened and closed as shown in FIG. 10 in response to a control signal from the coolant control unit 320. As a result, the refrigerant flows intensively through the bottom flow paths 217(B), 217(D), and 217(F) corresponding to the second, fourth, and sixth battery modules 100, thereby enabling the second, fourth, and sixth battery modules 100 to be cooled intensively.

[0083] 11, when a thermal event occurs in the second battery module 100 (see FIG. 7), the first, third, and fifth battery modules 100 are cooled intensively, thereby delaying as much as possible the heat transfer from the second battery module 100 to the adjacent first, third, and fifth battery modules 100. In this case, the flow control valves may be opened or closed as shown in FIG. 11 in response to a control signal from the coolant control unit 320. As a result, the refrigerant flows intensively through the bottom flow paths 217(A), 217(C), and 217(E) corresponding to the first, third, and fifth battery modules 100, thereby enabling the first, third, and fifth battery modules 100 to be cooled intensively.

[0084] Generally, a battery pack has a plurality of battery modules 100 arranged in a concentrated manner. Therefore, if the battery module 100 where the event occurred and the other battery modules 100 adjacent to it are thermally damaged, and this damage worsens, a chain reaction fire may quickly occur up to the other battery modules 100 other than the trigger battery module 100, which significantly reduces the fire safety of the battery pack.

[0085] However, with the above configuration, it is possible to intensively cool the other battery modules 100 adjacent to the trigger battery module 100 in which an event has occurred, thereby having the effect of delaying the diffusion of heat to the periphery of the trigger battery module 100 as much as possible.

[0086] 12, the automobile 1 according to the present invention may include the above-described battery pack 10 according to the present invention, an ECU 20 (Electronic Control Unit), an inverter 30, and a motor 40. Preferably, the automobile 1 may be an electric vehicle.

[0087] The battery pack 10 can be used as an electric energy source to provide driving force to the motor 40 to drive the automobile 1. The battery pack 10 can be charged or discharged by the inverter 30 through the driving of the motor 40 and / or an internal combustion engine (not shown). The battery pack 10 can be charged by a regenerative charging device coupled to a brake. The battery pack 10 can be electrically connected to the motor 40 of the automobile via the inverter 30.

[0088] The ECU 20 is an electronic control device that controls the state of the automobile 1. For example, it determines torque information based on information such as accelerator, brake, and speed, and controls the output of the motor 40 to match the torque information. The ECU 20 also transmits a control signal to the inverter 30 to charge or discharge the battery pack 10 based on state information such as SOC and SOH of the battery pack 10 transmitted by the BMS. The inverter 30 charges or discharges the battery pack 10 based on the control signal from the ECU 610. The motor 40 uses the electrical energy of the battery pack 10 to drive the automobile 1 based on control information (e.g., torque information) transmitted from the ECU 20.

[0089] Although the present invention has been described above using limited embodiments and drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited thereto, and 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 claims set forth below.

[0090] Furthermore, although terms indicating directions such as up, down, left, and right are used in this specification, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art of the present invention that such terms are used for the convenience of explanation and may vary depending on the position of the object in question, the position of the observer, etc.

[0091] Although the present invention has been described above using limited embodiments and drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited thereto, and 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 claims set forth below.

[0092] Furthermore, although terms indicating directions such as up, down, left, and right are used in this specification, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art of the present invention that such terms are used for the convenience of explanation and may vary depending on the position of the object in question, the position of the observer, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 1. Automobiles 10 Battery Pack 30 inverters 40 Motor 100 Battery Module 110 Sensor components 120 battery cells 130 Module vent pipe 200 pack case 210 Pack Tray 211 Wall Frame 211a Gas inlet wall, right side wall 211b Gas inlet wall, left side wall 211c Gas exhaust wall, front wall 211d Rear wall 212 Gas Vent Route 212a Gas inlet 212b Gas outlet 213 channel connector 215 base plate 216 Bulkhead 217 Bottom channel 220 Pack Cover 300 Vent Path Cooling Unit 310 Refrigerant Channel 311 Wall internal channel 311a First Straight Section 311b First curved section 311c Second straight section 311d Third straight section 311e Second curved section 311f 4th straight section 312 Wall External Channel 320 Coolant control unit

Claims

1. a plurality of battery modules, each of the plurality of battery modules including a sensor member for detecting gas or heat; a pack case including a wall frame surrounding the battery module and having a gas vent path therein communicating with the battery module; a vent path cooling unit that causes a refrigerant to flow through the wall frame to cool the gas vent path based on a danger signal generated by the sensor member.

2. The vent path cooling unit comprises: a coolant channel for providing a passage for a coolant to move between the inside and outside of the wall frame; 2. The battery pack according to claim 1, further comprising: a coolant control unit that receives a danger signal from the sensor member and circulates coolant through the coolant channel.

3. The coolant channel is 3. The battery pack according to claim 2, further comprising: a wall internal channel provided inside the wall frame in which the gas vent path is located; and a wall external channel communicating with the wall internal channel and provided outside the wall frame.

4. The wall frame has a channel connector on at least one side; The battery pack according to claim 3 , wherein the wall inner channel and the wall outer channel are configured to be connectable and disconnectable via the channel connector.

5. The pack case is a pack tray including a base plate supporting lower portions of the plurality of battery modules, and the wall frame arranged upright on the base plate along the outer periphery of the base plate; The battery pack according to claim 2 , further comprising: a pack cover provided to cover an upper opening of the pack tray.

6. The battery pack according to claim 2 , wherein the wall frame is made of a thermally conductive material so that the coolant channel and the gas vent path can exchange heat with each other.

7. The wall frame is a gas inlet wall including the gas vent path and at least one gas inlet port connected to the battery module so that gas in the battery module flows into the gas vent path; 3. The battery pack according to claim 2, further comprising: a gas discharge wall body including the gas vent path and a gas discharge port provided in the gas vent path so that gas is discharged to the outside of the pack case.

8. Within the gas inlet wall and the gas outlet wall, The battery pack according to claim 7 , wherein at least a portion of the coolant channel is formed to extend parallel to the gas vent path.

9. Within the gas inlet wall and the gas outlet wall, The battery pack according to claim 7 , wherein the coolant channel is configured in a round track shape surrounding the gas vent path.

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

11. 2. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein the sensor member is configured to send a danger signal to the vent path cooling unit when a state in which a temperature change rate (dT / dt) of the battery module is greater than 1° C. based on a preset critical temperature continues for 3 seconds or more.

12. The pack tray comprises: The battery pack according to claim 5 , further comprising a partition wall disposed on an upper surface of the base plate and dividing an internal space of the pack tray horizontally or vertically.

13. the base plate has a bottom channel inside the base plate; The battery pack according to claim 5 , wherein the bottom channel is configured to include a plurality of bottom channels so that the coolant flows through each area of ​​the base plate corresponding to the position of each battery module.

14. 14. The battery pack of claim 13, wherein the coolant control unit is configured to selectively supply the coolant to the bottom channel based on the danger signal so that the coolant flows intensively in an area of ​​the base plate where other battery modules adjacent to the battery module that transmitted the danger signal are located among the plurality of battery modules.

15. A motor vehicle comprising a battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

Images