Battery pack, and energy storage device and vehicle including the battery pack

Abstract

To provide a battery pack capable of preventing thermal runaway in an abnormal situation of a battery module, and an energy storage device and a vehicle including the battery pack.SOLUTION: A battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention provides a battery pack with improved safety. The battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of battery modules, each battery module including at least one battery cell, the plurality of battery modules being arranged in parallel with each other, and a predetermined gap being formed between facing battery modules.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack, an energy storage device including the battery pack, and a vehicle, and more particularly to a battery pack with improved safety, an energy storage device including the battery pack, and a vehicle.

[0002] This application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0188570, filed on December 27, 2021, and the entire contents disclosed in the specification and drawings of that application are incorporated herein by reference. [Background technology]

[0003] Secondary batteries, which have electrical properties such as high energy density and ease of application to various product groups, are widely used not only in portable devices but also in electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) that are driven by electrical sources. These secondary batteries are attracting attention as a new, environmentally friendly and highly energy-efficient energy source, not only because they have the primary advantage of significantly reducing the amount of fossil fuel used, but also because they do not produce any by-products from energy use.

[0004] Currently widely used types of secondary batteries include lithium-ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, and nickel-zinc batteries. The operating voltage of these unit secondary battery cells, i.e., unit battery cells, is approximately 2.5 to 4.5 V. Therefore, if a higher output voltage is required, a battery pack may be configured by connecting multiple battery cells in series. Alternatively, depending on the charge / discharge capacity required for the battery pack, a battery pack may be configured by connecting multiple battery cells in parallel. Therefore, the number of battery cells included in the battery pack can be set in various ways depending on the required output voltage and charge / discharge capacity.

[0005] Meanwhile, when configuring a battery pack by connecting multiple battery cells in series / parallel, a common method is to first configure a battery module including at least one battery cell, and then use that at least one battery module to add other components to configure a battery pack or battery rack.

[0006] In recent years, as issues such as power shortages and environmentally friendly energy have become increasingly important, energy storage systems (ESS) that store generated electricity have been attracting much attention. Typically, the use of such energy storage devices makes it easy to build power management systems such as smart grid systems, which can easily adjust the supply and demand of electricity in specific regions or cities. Furthermore, as electric vehicles become more widely commercialized, such energy storage devices may also be applied to charging stations (electric charging stations) for charging electric vehicles.

[0007] In the case of a battery pack used in such an energy storage device, a plurality of battery modules may be housed within the internal space of the pack case. The battery modules may be connected in series and / or parallel to each other to increase the output, capacity, etc. of the battery pack. Furthermore, to increase the energy density of the battery pack, the battery modules may be densely packed together in a very small space.

[0008] Here, at least one battery module constituting a conventional battery pack generally includes a plurality of battery cells stacked on one another and a module housing that houses the plurality of battery cells.

[0009] Such conventional battery packs have a problem in that if overheating occurs due to an abnormal condition in a specific battery cell among the multiple battery cells of a battery module, the heat generated in the overheated battery cell is directly transferred to adjacent battery cells, causing thermal runaway and leading to greater risks such as explosion of adjacent battery modules.

[0010] In particular, in the case of conventional battery packs, the pack case is often configured in a box-like or monoframe (tubular) shape, and multiple battery modules are housed in the internal space of the pack case. However, in such conventional battery pack configurations, there is a risk that the pack case may cause a problem in that it promotes heat transfer between the battery modules.

[0011] That is, heat generated from an event module, which is a battery module where a thermal event occurs, may be transferred to an adjacent battery module directly by heat radiation or by heat conduction through the pack case. In particular, if the heat is transferred through the pack case, there is a risk that the heat may be transferred to a battery module that is not adjacent to the event module but is far away.

[0012] Therefore, in the conventional battery pack configuration, heat is easily transferred between the multiple battery modules contained in the pack case, which causes a problem that the propagation of thermal runaway cannot be properly suppressed. Such propagation of thermal runaway can cause serious damage, not only by causing or damaging the battery pack, but also by causing or spreading the fire.

[0013] Therefore, there is a need to provide a battery pack that can prevent thermal runaway in the event of an abnormality in the battery module, and an energy storage device and a vehicle that include such a battery pack. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0014] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack capable of preventing thermal runaway in an abnormal situation of a battery module, an energy storage device including the battery pack, and a vehicle.

[0015] However, the technical problems that the present invention aims to solve are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the detailed description of the invention described below. [Means for solving the problem]

[0016] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a battery pack including a plurality of battery modules, each including one or more battery cells, arranged in parallel with each other, with a predetermined gap formed between opposing battery modules.

[0017] Preferably, the predetermined gap can function as an air curtain that can prevent thermal runaway from reaching the adjacent battery module in the event of a thermal event associated with an abnormal condition in at least one battery cell.

[0018] Preferably, the predetermined gap may be formed between battery modules facing each other along an arrangement direction of the plurality of battery modules.

[0019] Preferably, the predetermined gap may be formed to have a predetermined length along a longitudinal direction of the plurality of battery modules.

[0020] Preferably, the predetermined gap width between the opposing battery modules is 12 mm or less.

[0021] Preferably, a plurality of the predetermined gaps may be formed between the opposing battery modules, and the plurality of predetermined gaps may be arranged at predetermined distances from each other along the longitudinal direction of the battery modules.

[0022] Preferably, the sensor may include a phase change member provided in the predetermined gap.

[0023] Preferably, the cooling unit may include a cooling flow path provided within the predetermined gap and through which a cooling fluid flows.

[0024] Furthermore, the present invention provides an energy storage device including the battery pack according to the above embodiment.

[0025] Furthermore, the present invention provides a vehicle including the battery pack according to the above embodiment. [Effects of the Invention]

[0026] According to the various embodiments described above, it is possible to provide a battery pack capable of preventing thermal runaway in an abnormal situation of a battery module, an energy storage device including the battery pack, and a vehicle.

[0027] In particular, when heat is generated in a particular battery module due to an event such as thermal runaway, the heat can be effectively blocked from being transferred to other adjacent modules.

[0028] Therefore, according to this aspect of the present invention, the thermal safety of the battery pack can be further improved.

[0029] In addition to the above, various other effects can be achieved by various embodiments of the present invention. Such various effects of the present invention will be explained in the section of each embodiment, and explanations of effects that can be easily understood by those skilled in the art will be omitted.

[0030] The drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and serve to further understand the technical concepts of the present invention as well as the content of the invention, and therefore the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to only the matters depicted in the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the battery pack of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the main part of the battery pack of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the battery pack of FIG. 1. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing one battery module included in the battery pack of FIG. 1. [Figure 6] 6 is a partial perspective view showing the battery module of FIG. 5 with some components separated or removed. FIG. [Figure 7] 2 is a diagram for explaining a forced convection mechanism for preventing thermal runaway in the battery pack of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a battery pack according to still another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a battery pack according to still another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] 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 the specification and claims should not be construed as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be construed as having meanings and concepts corresponding to the technical ideas of the present invention, in accordance with the principle that the inventors themselves can appropriately define the concepts of terms in order to best explain the invention.

[0033] Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical idea of ​​the present invention, and that there may be various equivalents and modifications that can be substituted therefor at the time of this application.

[0034] Meanwhile, although directional terms such as up, down, left, right, front, and back can be used in this specification, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art of the present invention that these terms are used merely for the convenience of explanation and may vary depending on the position of the object in question, the position of the observer, etc.

[0035] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the battery pack of FIG.

[0036] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a battery pack may include multiple battery modules 100.

[0037] Each battery module 100 may include one or more battery cells 110 (see FIG. 4) configured to store and release energy. Here, each battery cell 110 may refer to a secondary battery.

[0038] Furthermore, a battery pack may include a plurality of battery modules 100. In particular, to improve the capacity and / or output of the battery pack, a battery pack may include a plurality of battery modules 100, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. In this case, the plurality of battery modules 100 may be stacked in at least one direction. For example, Figures 1 and 2 show eight battery modules 100 arranged in the X-axis direction (left-right direction).

[0039] An example of a more specific configuration of such a battery module 100 is shown in more detail in FIGS.

[0040] The plurality of battery modules 100 may be arranged side by side, and a predetermined gap G may be formed between the battery modules 100 facing each other.

[0041] The predetermined gap G can prevent heat from being transferred to the adjacent battery module 100 when an abnormal situation such as thermal runaway occurs due to overheating of at least one battery module 100.

[0042] Specifically, the predetermined gap G may act as an air curtain C (see FIG. 7) that causes forced convection to prevent thermal runaway toward an adjacent battery module 100 when a thermal event occurs due to an abnormal condition of at least one battery cell 110 of at least one battery module 100. That is, the predetermined gap G may be provided to allow air to pass through.

[0043] As a result, in this embodiment, when heat is generated in a particular battery module 100 due to an event such as thermal runaway, the predetermined gap G can effectively block the transfer of heat from the particular battery module 100 to other adjacent battery modules 100.

[0044] Therefore, in this embodiment, the predetermined gap G can further improve the thermal safety of the battery pack.

[0045] The predetermined gap G according to this embodiment will be described in more detail below.

[0046] 3 is an enlarged view of the main part of the battery pack of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the battery pack of FIG.

[0047] 3, 4, and 1 and 2, the predetermined gap G may be formed between opposing battery modules 100 in the arrangement direction (X-axis direction) of the plurality of battery modules 100. Thus, the predetermined gap G may be provided between opposing battery modules 100 in the arrangement direction (X-axis direction) of the plurality of battery modules 100.

[0048] Therefore, even if a thermal runaway situation occurs in any one of the battery modules 100 among the plurality of battery modules 100 arranged in a row, heat transfer to the adjacent battery module 100 can be effectively prevented.

[0049] The predetermined gap G may be formed to a predetermined length along the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the plurality of battery modules 100. Specifically, the predetermined gap G may be formed to a length corresponding to the entire length of the battery module 100 in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction).

[0050] In addition, the height of the predetermined gap G may be formed to be equivalent to the entire length of the battery module 100 in the height direction (Z-axis direction).

[0051] As a result, the predetermined gap G is formed anywhere between opposing battery modules 100 in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the battery modules 100, thereby making it possible to obtain uniform heat transfer blocking efficiency anywhere in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the battery modules 100.

[0052] Here, the width W of the predetermined gap G may be 12 mm or less between the opposing battery modules 100. By having such a width W of the gap G, forced convection to function as an air curtain C (see FIG. 7) can be more effectively performed.

[0053] Furthermore, the air curtain C may be activated either above (+Z-axis direction) or below (-Z-axis direction) the battery pack, i.e., the air curtain C may be activated either above (+Z-axis direction) or below (-Z-axis direction) the battery pack, as long as it can cause the forced convection.

[0054] 5 is a perspective view showing one battery module included in the battery pack of FIG. 1, and FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view showing the shape of the battery module of FIG. 5 with some components separated or removed.

[0055] 5, 6 and the above-mentioned FIGS. 1 to 4, the battery module 100 may include a battery cell 110 (secondary battery).

[0056] Here, the battery cell 110 may include an electrode assembly, an electrolyte, and a battery case. Although a pouch-type secondary battery is shown in Figures 5 and 6, other types of secondary batteries, such as cylindrical batteries and prismatic batteries, may also be included in the battery module 100. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, the battery cell 110 will be described only as a pouch-type secondary battery.

[0057] There may be multiple such secondary batteries. For example, as shown in the figure, multiple pouch-type secondary batteries may be stacked vertically in a lying position to form a cell assembly. In this case, the electrode leads 111 of each battery may be in direct contact with each other or may be electrically connected via a bus bar or the like.

[0058] The battery module 100 may also include a module terminal 140. For example, the electrode leads 111 of each battery cell 110 may be located on the front and / or rear side of the battery module 100, and the module terminal 140 may be located electrically connected to the electrode leads 111.

[0059] In particular, the module terminals 140 may be located at the front and / or rear sides of the battery module 100 and configured to protrude forward and / or rearward. Furthermore, each battery module 100 may include a positive module terminal (+) and a negative module terminal (-) as the module terminals 140. In this case, the positive module terminal (+) and the negative module terminal (-) may be located on the same side of the battery module 100, for example, on the front (-Y axis) side as shown in the figure.

[0060] Such module terminals 140 enable the secondary batteries (battery cells 110) included in the battery module 100 to be electrically connected to other components outside the battery module 100, for example, other battery modules 100.

[0061] The battery module 100 may include a module case 120 and a bus bar assembly 130.

[0062] Here, the module case 120 may be configured to accommodate one or more secondary batteries in its internal space. For example, as shown in the figure, the module case 120 may include an upper plate 121, a lower plate 122, and a side plate 123. These multiple plates may be coupled to each other to accommodate a battery assembly in a limited internal space.

[0063] Here, some plates included in module case 120, such as bottom plate 122 and side plates 123 (left and right plates), may be configured in an integrated form. In this case, the integration form of bottom plate 122 and side plates 123 may be approximately U-shaped.

[0064] Alternatively, the lower plate 122, the side plate 123, and the upper plate 121 may be integrated into a tubular monoframe. The plates of the module case 120 may be joined together to define an internal space, in which a cell assembly may be housed.

[0065] The module case 120 may be configured to have at least one side open, and the electrode leads 111 of the cell assembly may be positioned in the open portion.

[0066] In particular, the battery module 100 may be provided with a bus bar assembly 130, which may be coupled to the opening of the module case 120. For example, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the bus bar assembly 130 may be coupled to the front and rear openings of the module case 120. The electrode leads 111 of the battery assembly may be located in the front and rear portions of the module case 120.

[0067] The bus bar assembly 130 may also be coupled to the electrode lead 111. As a more specific example, the bus bar assembly 130 may include a bus bar housing 131 and a module bus bar 132, as shown in FIGS.

[0068] Here, the bus bar housing 131 may be made of an electrically insulating material, such as a plastic material, and may be configured so that the module bus bar 132 is placed and fixed on the bus bar housing 131.

[0069] Furthermore, the module bus bar 132 may be made of an electrically conductive material, for example, a metal material. Furthermore, the module bus bar 132 may be configured to electrically connect two or more electrode leads 111 or to be connected to one or more electrode leads 111 to transmit sensing information to a control unit such as a battery management system (BMS). The sensing information may be sensing information related to the temperature and voltage of the battery cells 110.

[0070] In this manner, the battery module 100 included in the battery pack according to the present invention may be configured so that only certain portions, for example, the front and rear sides where the busbar assembly 130 is located, are open, and the remaining portions are sealed.

[0071] In this case, if vent gas or the like is generated inside the battery module 100, the vent gas or the like may be guided to be discharged only to the open portions of the module case 120, for example, the front and rear sides where the bus bar assembly 130 is located. In particular, the bus bar assembly 130 may have slits formed therein to allow the electrode leads 111 to pass through.

[0072] The pack case 200 may be provided on at least one side of the plurality of battery modules 100. The pack case 200 may be configured to cover at least a portion of the exterior of the battery modules 100.

[0073] Furthermore, the pack case 200 may be configured to define an interior space and to house a plurality of battery modules 100 in the interior space. That is, the pack case 200 may be configured to surround at least a portion of the exterior of the stack of battery modules 100.

[0074] 1 and 2, the pack case 200 may include a front case 210, a rear case 220, and a side case 230. In this case, the pack case 200 is positioned at the front end, rear end, and left end of the stack of battery modules 100, thereby covering the corresponding portions of the stack of battery modules 100.

[0075] A pack terminal may be provided on at least one side of the pack case 200. The pack terminal may function as a terminal for transferring power between the battery pack and an external charging device or discharging device.

[0076] The pack case 200 may be configured to guide gas when gas is generated from one or more battery modules 100 among the plurality of battery modules 100 included in the battery pack. In particular, the pack case 200 may guide the direction in which the gas is discharged by allowing the vent gas to flow along the inner surface.

[0077] In this case, at least a portion of the pack case 200 can be said to function as a duct in the battery pack. In addition, the pack case 200 may have an exhaust port H1 formed on at least one side thereof so that vent gas can be exhausted to the outside.

[0078] In this configuration, the pack case 200 may include a melting member configured to melt due to vent gas discharged from the battery module 100. That is, the vent gas discharged from the battery module 100 may be high-temperature gas. Furthermore, the vent gas discharged from the battery module 100 may contain flames, sparks, high-temperature electrodes, active material particles, etc. Therefore, the melting member may melt due to contact with or proximity to such high-temperature vent gas.

[0079] Hereinafter, the forced convection mechanism for preventing thermal runaway of the battery pack according to this embodiment will be described in more detail.

[0080] FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a forced convection mechanism for preventing thermal runaway in the battery pack of FIG.

[0081] 7, if an abnormal condition such as overheating occurs in at least one battery cell 110 (see FIG. 4) of at least one battery module 100 of the battery pack, a dangerous condition such as thermal runaway may occur. In this case, if heat transfer occurs from the battery module 100 where the thermal event occurred to an adjacent battery module 100, it may lead to a larger accident such as an explosion of the entire battery pack.

[0082] In this embodiment, when such a thermal runaway situation occurs, the predetermined gap G acting as an air curtain C can effectively prevent heat transfer from the battery module 100 where the abnormal situation occurred to the adjacent battery module 100.

[0083] The air curtain C, which causes forced convection through the specified gap G, effectively blocks the transfer of heat to the adjacent battery module 100 when a thermal event occurs, thereby preventing the risk of heat transfer and significantly reducing the risk of thermal runaway that could be caused in a chain reaction to the surrounding battery modules 100.

[0084] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0085] Since the battery pack according to this embodiment is similar to the battery pack according to the previous embodiment, redundant descriptions of configurations that are substantially the same or similar to those of the previous embodiment will be omitted, and the following description will focus on the differences from the previous embodiment.

[0086] 8, in the battery pack, a plurality of predetermined gaps G functioning as the air curtain may be formed between opposing battery modules 100. Here, the plurality of predetermined gaps G may be arranged at predetermined distances from each other along the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the battery modules.

[0087] The plurality of predetermined gaps G may be formed by an interlocking arrangement of the opposing battery modules 100. For example, the plurality of battery modules 100 may be provided with at least one uneven portion in the arrangement direction (X-axis direction), and thus the plurality of predetermined gaps G may be formed by mutual contact between adjacent uneven portions.

[0088] The plurality of predetermined gaps G may be formed by uneven portions formed on only one of the opposing battery modules 100. That is, uneven portions may be provided on only one of the opposing battery modules 100, and the uneven portions may be arranged to contact the other of the opposing battery modules 100, thereby forming the plurality of predetermined gaps G.

[0089] That is, in this embodiment, the plurality of predetermined gaps G formed between the opposing battery modules 100 can of course be of a structure of a shape other than the uneven structure, as long as a plurality of gap spaces can be formed between the opposing battery modules 100.

[0090] In this manner, when the battery modules 100 are stacked one on another, a plurality of predetermined gaps G may be formed in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the battery modules 100.

[0091] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a battery pack according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[0092] Since the battery pack according to this embodiment is similar to the battery pack according to the previous embodiment, redundant descriptions of configurations that are substantially the same or similar to those of the previous embodiment will be omitted, and the following description will focus on the differences from the previous embodiment.

[0093] Referring to FIG. 9, a battery pack may include a phase change member 300.

[0094] The phase change member 300 may be disposed within the predetermined gap G.

[0095] The phase change material 300 may be disposed within the predetermined gap G in the height direction (Z-axis direction) of the battery module 100. The phase change material 300 may be provided to have a length corresponding to the height of the battery module 100.

[0096] The phase change material 300 may include a material capable of causing a phase change due to evaporation of liquid or latent heat, and may act as a liquid curtain between the battery modules 100.

[0097] In this embodiment, if an abnormal situation occurs in a battery module 100 of the battery pack, the phase change material 300 acting as such a liquid curtain can effectively block heat transfer to the adjacent battery module 100.

[0098] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a battery pack according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[0099] Since the battery pack according to this embodiment is similar to the battery pack according to the previous embodiment, redundant descriptions of configurations that are substantially the same or similar to those of the previous embodiment will be omitted, and the following description will focus on the differences from the previous embodiment.

[0100] Referring to FIG. 10, the battery pack may include a cooling unit 400.

[0101] The cooling unit 400 may be provided within the predetermined gap G.

[0102] The cooling unit 400 may be disposed within the predetermined gap G in the height direction (Z-axis direction) of the battery module 100. The cooling unit 400 has a length corresponding to the height of the battery module 100 and may be provided to communicate with an external cooling device.

[0103] The cooling unit 400 may include a cooling channel 405. The cooling channel 405 is formed along the height direction (Z-axis direction) of the cooling unit 400 and communicates with an external cooling device to allow a cooling fluid to flow therein.

[0104] The cooling fluid may be a cooling water, which is generally made of water. However, the cooling fluid is not limited thereto, and may be a phase change material that uses liquid evaporation, latent heat, or other cooling materials for cooling the battery pack. Alternatively, the cooling fluid may be a gas, such as air, as in the previous embodiment.

[0105] The flow direction of the cooling fluid through the cooling unit 400 may be at least one of an upward direction and a downward direction of the battery pack. That is, the flow direction of the cooling fluid may be determined to be a direction that optimally cools the battery pack.

[0106] Thus, in this embodiment, a cooling unit 400 having a cooling flow path 405 through which the cooling fluid flows is arranged within the specified gap G, so that if any one of the battery modules 100 falls into a thermal runaway state, heat transfer to the adjacent battery module 100 via the cooling unit 400 can be effectively blocked.

[0107] Thus, in this embodiment, by disposing a cooling unit 400 having a cooling flow path 405 through which the cooling water flows within the specified gap G, if any one of the battery modules 100 falls into a thermal runaway state, the cooling unit 400 can effectively block the transfer of heat to the adjacent battery module 100.

[0108] The battery pack according to the present invention may further include various other components of a battery pack known at the time of filing of the present invention, such as a battery management system (BMS), a current sensor, a fuse, etc.

[0109] The energy storage device according to the present invention may include one or more battery packs according to the present invention. In particular, since the energy storage device has a large energy capacity, the energy storage device may include a plurality of battery packs according to the present invention electrically connected to each other.

[0110] The energy storage device according to one embodiment of the present invention may be an industrial energy storage device or a residential (building) energy storage device for home or office use, used to store energy in home homes, office homes, buildings, etc.

[0111] In addition, the energy storage device according to the present invention may further include various other components of energy storage devices known at the time of filing of this application. Furthermore, such energy storage devices may be used in various locations and devices, such as smart grid systems and electric charging stations.

[0112] Furthermore, a vehicle according to the present invention may include one or more battery packs according to the present invention. Furthermore, a vehicle according to the present invention may further include, in addition to the battery pack, various other components included in the vehicle. For example, a vehicle according to the present invention may further include, in addition to the battery pack according to the present invention, a vehicle body, a motor, a control device such as an electronic control unit (ECU), and the like.

[0113] According to the various embodiments described above, it is possible to provide a battery pack capable of preventing thermal runaway in an abnormal situation of the battery module 100, an energy storage device including the battery pack, and a vehicle.

[0114] While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains without departing from the gist of the present invention as claimed in the claims, and such modifications should not be understood individually from the technical ideas and prospects of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0115] 100 Battery Module 110 battery cells 111 Electrode lead 120 module case 121 Upper Plate 122 Lower Plate 123 Side Plate 130 Busbar Assembly 131 Busbar housing 132 module busbar 140 Module Terminal 200 pack case 210 Front case 220 rear case 230 Side Case 300 Phase change material 400 Cooling Unit 405 Cooling Channel C. Air curtain G Gap H1 outlet U abbreviation W width

Claims

1. A battery pack including a plurality of battery modules, each including one or more battery cells, arranged in parallel with one another, with a predetermined gap formed between opposing battery modules.

2. The predetermined gap is 10. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the battery pack functions as an air curtain that can prevent thermal runaway from occurring on an adjacent battery module in the event of a thermal event associated with an abnormal condition of at least one battery cell.

3. The predetermined gap is The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the battery pack is formed between battery modules facing each other along an arrangement direction of the plurality of battery modules.

4. The predetermined gap is The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the battery pack is formed to a predetermined length along the longitudinal direction of the plurality of battery modules.

5. The predetermined gap width is 10. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein the distance between opposing battery modules is 12 mm or less.

6. The predetermined gap is A plurality of such capacitors are formed between opposing battery modules. The plurality of predetermined gaps are The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the battery modules are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance along the longitudinal direction of the battery modules.

7. The battery pack according to claim 1 , further comprising a phase change material disposed within the predetermined gap.

8. The battery pack according to claim 1 , further comprising: a cooling unit provided in the predetermined gap and including a cooling flow path through which a cooling fluid flows.

9. An energy storage device comprising the battery pack of any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A motor vehicle comprising a battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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