Battery structure

Abstract

To provide a battery structure for solving a problem of causing an increase in a deterioration amount of a battery cell and a decrease in a life.SOLUTION: The battery structure may include a frame having an accommodation space, a plurality of battery cells disposed in the accommodation space, and a heat-insulating and fire-extinguishing unit disposed above the plurality of battery cells to absorb heat generated from a bus bar (bus-bar) connected to the battery cells and spray a fire-extinguishing material to the battery cells when heated to a predetermined temperature or higher.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to battery structures. [Background technology]

[0002] Unlike primary batteries, which cannot be recharged, secondary batteries are batteries that can be charged and discharged. Low-capacity secondary batteries are used in small portable electronic devices such as smartphones, feature phones, laptop computers, digital cameras, and camcorders, while high-capacity secondary batteries are widely used as motor drive power sources and power storage batteries in hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, and the like. Such secondary batteries include an electrode assembly consisting of a positive electrode and a negative electrode, a case that houses the electrode assembly, and electrode terminals connected to the electrode assembly.

[0003] Heat may be generated during the discharging or charging of a secondary battery. If this heat generation continues, thermal runaway of the secondary battery may progress, which may cause a fire in the device or system in which the secondary battery is installed.

[0004] In particular, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, multiple battery cells are connected to each other via bus bars, which makes it easier for heat to transfer to adjacent battery cells, resulting in increased deterioration of the battery cells and a shortened lifespan.

[0005] The foregoing information disclosed in this Background of the Invention section is intended solely to enhance understanding of the background of the present invention and may therefore include information that does not constitute prior art. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Korean Patent Registration No. 10-2413926 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The present disclosure provides a battery structure to solve the above problems.

[0008] However, the technical problems that the present invention aims to solve are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and other problems that are not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention provided below. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To solve the above technical problems, a battery structure according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a frame having an accommodation space, a plurality of battery cells arranged in the accommodation space, and a heat-resistant and fire-extinguishing unit arranged above the plurality of battery cells, absorbing heat generated from bus bars connected to the battery cells and spraying a fire-extinguishing material onto the battery cells when the heat exceeds a certain level. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a heat-resistant fire extinguishing portion is disposed on the bus bar connected to the battery cell, thereby absorbing heat generated from the bus bar.

[0011] According to some embodiments of the present invention, when the heat-resistant fire-extinguishing unit heats up to a certain level, it can inject a fire-extinguishing substance to extinguish the fire in the battery cells.

[0012] However, the effects obtained by the present invention are not limited to the effects described above, and other technical effects not mentioned herein should be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention set forth below. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] The following drawings and the like attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention described below, serve to further understand the technical concept of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to only the matters depicted in such drawings. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a battery structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an example of a battery structure according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a heat-resistant fire extinguishing unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of cutting the area AA in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a battery structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] 10 is a cross-sectional view showing an example in which a heat-resistant fire-extinguishing unit in a battery structure according to one embodiment of the present disclosure sprays a fire-extinguishing substance. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an example of a heat-resistant fire-extinguishing unit according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing an example in which the BB region in FIG. 7 is cut. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an example of a battery structure according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a battery structure according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] A cross-sectional view showing an example in which a heat-resistant fire-extinguishing unit in a battery structure according to another embodiment of the present disclosure sprays a fire-extinguishing substance. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a battery structure according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] A cross-sectional view showing an example in which a heat-resistant fire-extinguishing unit in a battery structure according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure sprays a fire-extinguishing substance. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] <Summary of the Invention> According to one embodiment of the present invention, the heat-resistant fire-extinguishing unit may include a housing storing a fire-extinguishing material therein, and an injection unit formed on one side of the housing facing the battery cell, which is broken when the pressure inside the housing exceeds a certain level to inject the fire-extinguishing material.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the housing may be made of a thermally conductive plastic material so as to be placed over the busbars and absorb heat generated by the busbars.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the fire-extinguishing material may be a fire-extinguishing agent that expands in volume when heated by exposure to heat, thereby increasing the pressure within the housing.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the injection portion is disposed above the vent portion of the battery cell and can inject a fire-extinguishing substance toward the vent portion.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the injection unit may be plural in number depending on the number of battery cells arranged below the heat-proof and fire-extinguishing unit, and may be arranged above the vent portions of the battery cells.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the injection portion may be recessed into one surface of the housing and may be thinner than other areas.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the injection part has an X-shaped notch groove formed on a surface facing the vent part of the battery cell, so that when the injection part is broken, it can inject a fire-extinguishing material into the vent part.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the injection portion may be formed to a thickness that allows it to be destroyed in response to the temperature at which the vent portion of the battery cell is opened.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the injection part may be made of a material having a melting point lower than the temperature of the gas injected into the vent part of the battery cell.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the housing may include a plurality of tab plates that transfer heat generated from the bus bars to the fire-extinguishing material.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the tab plates may be disposed on the bus bars of the plurality of battery cells, respectively.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the tab plate may be made of a metal having a thermal conductivity at least equal to or higher than that of the bus bar.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a tab plate may be provided extending through the housing so that one side is in contact with the fire extinguishing material.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the fire extinguishing material may comprise an electrically non-conductive fire extinguishing agent to provide insulation between the tab plates.

[0028] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an insulating pad may be provided between the bus bar and the tab plate to provide electrical insulation.

[0029] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the insulating pad may be made of a thermally conductive resin so as to transfer heat generated from the bus bar to the tab plate.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the insulating pad may be formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of the bus bar.

[0031] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the heat-resistant fire extinguishing unit may include a spike that is moved by gas ejected from the vent of the battery cell and strikes and destroys the ejection unit.

[0032] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the housing may include a spike support portion that protrudes from one surface along the periphery of the injection portion and receives the spike.

[0033] <Detailed Description of the Invention> Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, the terms and phrases used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted as being limited to their ordinary and dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted in a way that is consistent with the technical concept of the present invention, based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concepts of terms in order to best describe his or her invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are only some preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical concept of the present invention, and that various equivalents and modifications may exist as of the time of filing this application.

[0034] Also, as used in this specification, "comprise," "comprising," "include," "including" specifies the presence of a stated shape, number, step, operation, member, element, and / or group, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other shapes, numbers, operations, members, elements, and / or groups.

[0035] In order to facilitate understanding of the invention, the accompanying drawings may not be drawn to scale, and the dimensions of some components may be exaggerated. In addition, the same reference numerals are used to refer to the same components in different embodiments.

[0036] A statement that two comparison objects are "identical" means that they are "substantially identical." Therefore, being substantially identical can include cases where there is a deviation that is considered low in the art, for example, a deviation of 5% or less. Furthermore, a statement that a certain parameter is uniform in a given region can mean that the parameters are uniform on average.

[0037] Although terms such as "first" and "second" are used to describe various components, it is understood that these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are merely used to distinguish one component from another, and unless otherwise specified, a first component can also be a second component.

[0038] Throughout the specification, unless specifically stated to the contrary, each element may be singular or plural.

[0039] The phrase "above (or below)" a component or "above (or below)" a component means that the component is not only placed in contact with the upper surface (or lower surface) of the component, but also means that other components may be interposed between the component and the component placed above (or below) the component.

[0040] Furthermore, when a component is described as being "coupled," "coupled," or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that the components may be directly coupled or connected to each other, but that other components may be "intervening" between the components, or that each component may be "coupled," "coupled," or "connected" via other components. Furthermore, when a part is said to be electrically coupled to another part, this includes not only direct coupling, but also coupling via an intermediate element.

[0041] Throughout the specification, when we say "A and / or B," this means A only, B only, or A and B, unless specifically stated to the contrary. That is, "and / or" includes all or any combination of the listed items. When we say "C through D," this means at least C and at most D, unless specifically stated to the contrary.

[0042] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing embodiments of the present disclosure and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

[0043] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a battery structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of a battery structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0044] 1 and 2, a battery structure 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a frame 20 having an accommodation space, a plurality of battery cells 30 arranged in the accommodation space of the frame 20, and a heat-proof and fire-extinguishing unit 100 arranged above the plurality of battery cells 30.

[0045] The battery structure 10 may include a plurality of battery cells 30 having electrode portions and arranged in one direction, bus bars 32 connecting adjacent battery cells, and a protection circuit module having one end connected to the bus bars 32. The protection circuit module may be a battery management system (BMS).

[0046] The battery cell 30 may include a battery case, an electrode assembly, and an electrolyte solution housed within the battery case. The electrode assembly and the electrolyte solution react electrochemically to generate energy. One side of the battery cell 30 may include a terminal portion electrically connected to a bus bar 32 and a vent portion 31 serving as a passage for discharging gas generated from the battery cell. The terminal portions of the battery cell 30 are a positive terminal and a negative terminal having opposite polarities, and the terminal portions of adjacent battery cells 30 may be electrically connected in series or parallel via the bus bar 32. While the above description has been given using a series connection as an example, various connection structures may be adopted as needed. In addition, the number and arrangement of the battery cells are not limited to the structure shown in FIG. 1 and may be changed as needed.

[0047] The plurality of battery cells 30 may be arranged in one direction such that the wide surfaces of the battery cells 30 face each other, and the arranged plurality of battery cells 30 may be fixed by the frame 20.

[0048] The battery case forms the overall appearance of the battery cell 30 and may be made of a conductive metal such as aluminum, an aluminum alloy, or nickel-plated steel. The battery case may provide a space in which the electrode assembly is housed. The battery case is a prismatic case, and the battery cell 30 is illustrated as a prismatic battery cell, but is not limited thereto. The battery cell 30 may be a battery cell of any shape, such as a prismatic, cylindrical, or pouch-shaped battery cell.

[0049] The cap plate 33 may be coupled to an open end of the battery case to seal the battery case. The battery case and the cap plate 33 may be made of a conductive material. According to one embodiment, the top end of the battery case is open, and the cap plate 33 may seal the open top end of the battery case. A positive electrode terminal electrically connected to the positive electrode and a negative electrode terminal electrically connected to the negative electrode may be coupled to the cap plate 33. A vent portion 31 may be formed in the cap plate 33. The vent portion 31 may be configured to open when an internal pressure equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold pressure is detected from the battery cell 30.

[0050] The battery cell 30 may be a lithium battery cell or a sodium battery cell. However, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the battery cell 30 includes all batteries that can repeatedly provide electricity by charging and discharging. In one embodiment, when the battery cell 30 is a lithium battery cell, it can be used in an electric vehicle (EV) due to its excellent life characteristics and high rate characteristics. For example, it can be used in a hybrid vehicle such as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). Lithium battery cells can also be used in fields that require large amounts of power storage, such as electric bicycles and power tools.

[0051] A plurality of bus bars 32 may be electrically connected to a plurality of battery cells 30. A bus bar holder that supports the plurality of bus bars 32 and a circuit board that is electrically connected to the plurality of bus bars 32 and on which various circuits and components are mounted may also be provided.

[0052] A negative electrode terminal and a positive electrode terminal formed on the cap plate 33 may be electrically connected to the bus bar 32. The number and arrangement of the battery cells 30 are not limited to the structures shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and may be appropriately changed as needed.

[0053] The bus bar 32 can electrically connect the positive and negative terminals. The bus bar 32 can connect multiple battery cells 30 in series and / or parallel. For this purpose, multiple bus bars 32 can be provided. According to an embodiment, the bus bar 32 can electrically connect the positive terminal of one battery cell 30 to the positive or negative terminal of another battery cell 30. Alternatively, the bus bar 32 can electrically connect the negative terminal of one battery cell 30 to the positive or negative terminal of another battery cell 30. The bus bar 32 can be connected to the positive and / or negative terminals by a method such as welding. Regions of the battery cells 30 other than the positive and negative terminals can be insulated from the bus bar 32 by a bus bar holder. The bus bar 32 can be electrically connected to a circuit board. The circuit board may be mounted with various components for measuring status information of the battery cells 30, such as the voltage and / or temperature of the battery cells 30, and various components and circuits for controlling and / or managing the battery cells 30. The circuit board may include a battery management system.

[0054] The thermal protection and fire extinguishing unit 100 is disposed above the plurality of battery cells 30 and configured to absorb heat generated from the bus bars 32 connected to the battery cells 30 and spray a fire-extinguishing substance onto the battery cells 30 when the battery cells 30 are heated above a certain level. The thermal protection and fire extinguishing unit 100 can absorb heat generated from the bus bars 32 by directly contacting the bus bars 32. For example, the lower surface of the thermal protection and fire extinguishing unit 100 can be in direct contact with at least a portion of the upper surface of the bus bars 32. Alternatively, the thermal protection and fire extinguishing unit 100 can be connected to the bus bars 32 via a thermal conductor and absorb heat generated from the bus bars 32. The thermal protection and fire extinguishing unit 100 stores a fire-extinguishing substance therein, which absorbs heat transferred from the bus bars 32 to provide heat protection. When the fire-extinguishing substance absorbs heat and heats the battery cells 30 above a certain level, the fire-extinguishing substance is sprayed outward to extinguish the fire in the battery cells 30.

[0055] The thermal protection and fire extinguishing unit 100 can perform a thermal protection function by absorbing heat transferred from the bus bar 32 within a certain temperature range. If an event such as thermal runaway occurs in the battery cell 30, the thermal protection and fire extinguishing unit 100 can extinguish the fire in the battery cell 30 by injecting a fire extinguishing material onto the battery cell 30.

[0056] Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of a thermal protection and fire extinguishing unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of cutting area AA in Fig. 3, Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a battery structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a thermal protection and fire extinguishing unit injecting a fire extinguishing material in a battery structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0057] 3 to 6, the heat-resistant fire-extinguishing unit 100 according to one embodiment may include a housing 110 storing a fire-extinguishing material 111 therein, and an injection unit 120 formed in the housing 110 and injecting the fire-extinguishing material 111.

[0058] The housing 110 may be hollow so as to store the fire-extinguishing material 111 therein. The housing 110 may be disposed on the busbars 32 of the battery cells 30 and may be made of a material capable of absorbing heat generated from the busbars 32.

[0059] Since the housing 110 is disposed on the plurality of bus bars 32, it may be made of a material that is not electrically conductive to provide electrical insulation between the bus bars 32. The housing 110 may also be made of a material that has excellent thermal conductivity to absorb heat generated from the bus bars 32. For this reason, the housing 110 may be made of a thermally conductive plastic material. Of course, the material of the housing 110 is not limited to this, and any material that is not electrically conductive but is thermally conductive may be used.

[0060] The fire-extinguishing material 111 is stored in the housing 110 and is configured to absorb heat transferred to the housing 110. When the bus bar 32 heats up within a certain temperature range, the housing 110 first absorbs the heat, and the heat of the heated housing 110 is absorbed by the fire-extinguishing material 111, thereby cooling the bus bar 32.

[0061] In addition, the fire extinguishing material 111 may be a fire extinguishing agent that expands in volume when heated. In one embodiment, the fire extinguishing agent may be a water-based agent or NOVEC. Of course, the fire extinguishing agent is not limited thereto and may be any type that expands in volume when heated.

[0062] The fire extinguishing material 111 expands due to heat from the housing 110, increasing the pressure inside the housing 110. When the pressure inside the housing 110 increases above a certain level, the ejection part 120 breaks, and the fire extinguishing material 111 stored in the housing 110 is ejected.

[0063] The spraying unit 120 is formed on one surface of the housing 110 facing the battery cell 30, and is configured to burst when the pressure inside the housing 110 exceeds a certain level, thereby spraying the fire-extinguishing material 111. The spraying unit 120 is disposed above the vent portion 31 of the battery cell 30, and when the spraying unit 120 bursts, the fire-extinguishing material 111 can be sprayed toward the vent portion 31.

[0064] The injection unit 120 may be multiple in number depending on the number of battery cells 30 disposed below the thermal protection and fire extinguishing unit 100. In this case, the injection unit 120 may be disposed above the vent units 31 of the battery cells 30. The injection unit 120 may be destroyed after the vent units 31 are opened. Alternatively, the injection unit 120 may be destroyed when the internal pressure of the housing 110 increases due to heat generated from the bus bar 32, even if the vent units 31 are not open.

[0065] In one embodiment, the injection part 120 may be recessed into one surface of the housing 110 and may be thinner than other areas. That is, if the pressure inside the housing 110 increases, stress may be concentrated on the injection part 120, which is relatively thin, making the injection part 120 more likely to break.

[0066] Furthermore, the injection portion 120 has an X-shaped notch groove 121 formed on the surface facing the vent portion 31 of the battery cell 30, and when the injection portion 120 breaks, the extinguishing material 111 can be injected into the vent portion 31. That is, when the pressure inside the housing 110 increases, stress is concentrated on the notch groove 121 in the injection portion 120, and the injection portion 120 can break along the notch groove 121. In this way, the breaking point of the injection portion 120 can be set in advance, and therefore the extinguishing material 111 can be more accurately injected into the vent portion 31.

[0067] In one embodiment, the injection part 120 may be formed with a thickness that allows it to be broken according to the temperature at which the vent part 31 of the battery cell 30 is opened. When the temperature inside the battery cell 30 rises above a certain level, the vent part 31 is opened to allow the internal gas to be discharged to the outside. In this case, the temperature at which the vent part 31 is opened is set, and when the battery cell 30 is heated to the set temperature, the pressure inside the housing 110 is calculated, and the thickness of the injection part 120 may be set so that the injection part 120 can be broken at the calculated pressure. As a result, when the vent part 31 of the battery cell 30 is opened, the injection part 120 injects the fire-extinguishing material 111 toward the vent part 31, thereby preventing the occurrence of a fire.

[0068] In one embodiment, the ejection part 120 may be made of a material having a melting point lower than the temperature of the gas ejected from the vent part 31 of the battery cell 30. When the vent part 31 is opened, high-temperature gas is ejected toward the ejection part 120, and the ejection part 120 may be melted by the high-temperature gas, which may destroy the ejection part 120 more easily. As a result, when the vent part 31 of the battery cell 30 is opened, the ejection part 120 may be destroyed more quickly.

[0069] Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing an example of a thermal protection and fire extinguishing unit according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of cutting the area BB in Fig. 7, Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of a battery structure according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a battery structure according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, and Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a thermal protection and fire extinguishing unit injecting a fire extinguishing material in a battery structure according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0070] 7 to 11 , a heat-proof and fire-extinguishing unit 200 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure may include a housing 210 storing a fire-extinguishing material 211 therein, an injection unit 220 formed in the housing 210 and injecting the fire-extinguishing material 211, and a plurality of tab plates 230 provided in the housing 210 and transferring heat absorbed from the bus bars 32 of the battery cells 30 to the fire-extinguishing material 211.

[0071] The housing 210 may be hollow so that the fire-extinguishing material 211 can be stored therein. The housing 210 may be made of a material with excellent thermal conductivity so that when the fire-extinguishing material 211 stored therein heats up, the housing 210 receives the heat of the fire-extinguishing material 211 and releases it to the outside. For this reason, the housing 210 may be made of a thermally conductive plastic material. Of course, the material of the housing 210 is not limited thereto, and any material that is thermally conductive but not electrically conductive may be used.

[0072] The fire-extinguishing material 211 is stored in the housing 210 and is configured to absorb heat transferred to the tab plate 230. When the bus bar 32 heats up within a certain temperature range, the tab plate 230 first absorbs the heat, and the heat of the heated tab plate 230 is absorbed by the fire-extinguishing material 211, thereby cooling the bus bar 32.

[0073] In addition, the fire extinguishing material 211 may be a fire extinguishing agent that expands in volume when heated. In one embodiment, the fire extinguishing agent may be a water-based agent or NOVEC. Of course, the fire extinguishing agent is not limited thereto and may be any type that expands in volume when heated.

[0074] The fire-extinguishing material 211 expands due to heat from the housing 210, thereby increasing the pressure inside the housing 210. When the pressure inside the housing 210 increases above a certain level, the ejection part 220 is broken, and the fire-extinguishing material 211 stored in the housing 210 is ejected.

[0075] The ejection part 220 is formed on one surface of the housing 210 facing the battery cell 30, and is configured to break when the pressure inside the housing 210 exceeds a certain level, thereby ejecting the fire-extinguishing material 211. The ejection part 220 is disposed above the vent part 31 of the battery cell 30, and when the ejection part 220 breaks, the fire-extinguishing material 211 can be ejected toward the vent part 31.

[0076] Furthermore, the injection portion 220 has an X-shaped notch groove 221 formed on the surface facing the vent portion 31 of the battery cell 30, and when broken, the injection portion 220 can inject the fire-extinguishing substance 211 into the vent portion 31. That is, when the pressure inside the housing 210 increases, stress is concentrated on the notch groove 221 of the injection portion 220, and the injection portion 220 can be broken along the notch groove 221. In this way, the breaking point of the injection portion 220 can be set in advance, so that the fire-extinguishing substance 211 can be more accurately injected into the vent portion 31. Such an injection portion 220 can be configured in the same manner as the injection portion 120 described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6.

[0077] The tab plate 230 may be formed adjacent to the injection portion 220 in the housing 210 and may be provided penetrating the housing 210 so that one surface thereof comes into contact with the fire-extinguishing material 211. The other surface of the tab plate 230 may be configured to protrude outward from the housing 210, be disposed on the bus bar 32 of the battery cell 30, and absorb heat generated from the bus bar 32 and transfer it to the fire-extinguishing material 211. For this structure, the tab plate 230 may be formed integrally with the housing 210 by insert injection molding, penetrating one surface of the housing 210.

[0078] The tab plate 230 is in contact with the bus bar 32 and must receive and transfer heat generated from the bus bar 32 to the fire-extinguishing material 211, and therefore may be made of a metal having a thermal conductivity at least equal to or higher than that of the bus bar 32. In one embodiment, the tab plate 230 may be made of a metal having excellent thermal conductivity, such as copper or aluminum. Of course, the material of the tab plate 230 is not limited to metal, and any material having excellent thermal conductivity may be used.

[0079] The tab plates 230 may be formed in plurality and may be disposed on the bus bars 32 of the plurality of battery cells 30, respectively. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9 , when the thermal protection and fire extinguishing unit 200 is disposed for four battery cells 30, eight tab plates 230 may be formed on the housing 210. Of course, the number of tab plates 230 is not limited thereto, and two tab plates may be formed long on both sides of the injection unit 220 and be formed to simultaneously contact the plurality of bus bars disposed in the same direction. Therefore, the tab plates 230 may be configured in any shape and in any number as long as they can contact the bus bars 32 of the battery cells 30.

[0080] In one embodiment, when the tab plate 230 is made of an electrically conductive material such as metal, the fire extinguishing material 211 may be made of a non-electrically conductive fire extinguishing agent. The tab plates 230 may contact the bus bars 32 of the battery cells 30 outside the housing 210 and may contact the fire extinguishing material 211 inside the housing 210. In this case, if the fire extinguishing material 211 is electrically conductive, an internal short circuit may occur. Therefore, the fire extinguishing material 211 may be made of a non-electrically conductive fire extinguishing agent such as NOVEC.

[0081] In one embodiment, an insulating pad 240 may be disposed between the tab plate 230 and the bus bar 32 so that the tab plate 230 and the bus bar 32 are electrically insulated from each other. In this case, the fire-extinguishing material 211 may be made of an electrically conductive fire-extinguishing agent. The insulating pad 240 may be made of a thermally conductive resin so that heat generated from the bus bar 32 is transferred to the tab plate 230. That is, the tab plate 230 and the bus bar 32 must be electrically insulated from each other, but the insulating pad 240 may be made of a thermally conductive resin because the heat generated from the bus bar 32 must be transferred to the tab plate 230. Of course, the material of the insulating pad 240 is not limited thereto, and any material that is thermally conductive but not electrically conductive may be used.

[0082] 9, the insulating pad 240 may be formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of the bus bar 32. That is, the insulating pad 240 may be disposed on the upper surface of the bus bar 32 and cover the bus bar 32 so that the bus bar 32 is not exposed to the outside. Of course, the shape of the insulating pad 240 is not limited thereto, and any shape may be used as long as the insulating pad 240 can insulate the tab plate 230 from the bus bar 32.

[0083] For example, the insulating pad 240 may be formed as an adhesive gel pad, which prevents the insulating pad 240 from coming off between the tab plate 230 and the bus bar 32. In addition, the bus bar 32 and the tab plate 230 are attached with the insulating pad 240 sandwiched therebetween, so that the tab plate 230 can be fixed to the upper side of the bus bar 32.

[0084] With this configuration, if heat is generated from the bus bar 32, the heat is transferred to the tab plate 230 by the insulating pad 240, and the tab plate 230 transfers the heat to the fire-extinguishing material 211 stored in the housing 210, thereby cooling the battery cells 30.

[0085] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a battery structure according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a heat-resistant fire-extinguishing unit injecting a fire-extinguishing substance in a battery structure according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0086] 12 and 13, the battery structure according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may further include spikes 251 in addition to the configuration of the heat-proof and fire-extinguishing unit 200 described with reference to FIGS.

[0087] The spike 251 may be configured to be moved by gas ejected from the vent 31 of the battery cell 30 and strike and destroy the ejection portion 220. In one embodiment, the spike 251 may be configured in a cone shape with a sharp protruding tip. When high-pressure gas is ejected through the vent 31, the spike 251 moves toward the ejection portion 220 due to the ejection pressure of the gas, and its tip strikes the ejection portion 220, destroying it. With this configuration, if an event such as thermal runaway occurs and the vent 31 is opened to eject gas, the spike 251 immediately strikes the ejection portion 220 and ejects the fire-extinguishing material 211 toward the vent 31. At this time, the fire-extinguishing material 211 stored in the housing 210 expands due to heat generated from the bus bar 32 by the tab plate 230, causing the pressure inside the housing 210 to increase. Therefore, when the spike 251 strikes the ejection part 220, the ejection part 220 can be destroyed more easily.

[0088] In one embodiment, the housing 210 may include a spike support 252 that protrudes from one surface along the periphery of the injection portion 220 and receives the spike 251. The spike 251 may be disposed at a predetermined distance from the injection portion 220 while being received in the spike support 252. In this state, when gas is ejected through the vent portion 31, the spike 251 moves along the spike support 252 and strikes the injection portion 220. In other words, the provision of the spike support 252 can guide the movement of the spike 251 so that the spike 251 can strike the injection portion 220 more accurately. Of course, the spike support 252 may not be provided and the spike 251 may be disposed above the vent portion 31.

[0089] Although the present invention has been described above using limited examples and drawings, it is not limited thereto, and it is of course possible for a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains to make various modifications and variations within the technical spirit of the present invention and the equivalent scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0090] 10 Battery structure 20 frames 30 battery cells 31 Vent section 32 Busbar 33 Cap Plate 100, 200 Heat-insulated fire extinguishing section 110, 210 housing 111, 211 Fire extinguishing substances 120, 220 injection part 121 221 Notch groove 230 Tab Plate 240 Insulation Pad 251 Spike 252 Spike support

Claims

1. a frame having a storage space; a plurality of battery cells disposed in the accommodating space; a heat-protection and fire-extinguishing unit disposed above the plurality of battery cells, absorbing heat generated from bus bars connected to the battery cells, and injecting a fire-extinguishing material onto the battery cells when the battery cells are heated to a certain level or more.

2. The heat-resistant fire extinguishing unit is a housing having a fire extinguishing material stored therein; 2. The battery structure according to claim 1, further comprising: an injection portion formed on a surface of the housing facing the battery cell, the injection portion being ruptured to inject the fire-extinguishing material when pressure inside the housing reaches a certain level or more.

3. 3. The battery structure according to claim 2, wherein the housing is disposed on the bus bar and is made of a thermally conductive plastic material so as to absorb heat generated from the bus bar.

4. 3. The battery structure according to claim 2, wherein the fire-extinguishing material is a fire-extinguishing agent that expands in volume when heated by heat, thereby increasing the pressure within the housing.

5. The battery structure according to claim 2 , wherein the injection portion is disposed above a vent portion of the battery cell and injects a fire-extinguishing substance toward the vent portion.

6. The battery structure according to claim 2 , wherein the injection portion includes a plurality of injection portions corresponding to the number of the battery cells arranged below the heat-proof and fire-extinguishing portion, and the injection portions are arranged above vent portions of the battery cells.

7. The battery structure according to claim 2 , wherein the injection portion is recessed on one surface of the housing and is formed to be thinner than other areas.

8. 3. The battery structure according to claim 2, wherein the injection portion has an X-shaped notch groove formed on a surface facing the vent portion of the battery cell, and when the injection portion is broken, the injection portion injects the fire-extinguishing material into the vent portion.

9. The battery structure according to claim 2 , wherein the injection portion is formed to a thickness that allows the injection portion to be destroyed depending on a temperature at which the vent portion of the battery cell is opened.

10. The battery structure according to claim 2 , wherein the injection portion is made of a material having a melting point lower than the temperature of the gas injected into the vent portion of the battery cell.

11. 3. The battery structure of claim 2, further comprising a plurality of tab plates provided on the housing for transferring heat generated from the bus bars to the fire-extinguishing material.

12. The battery structure according to claim 11 , wherein the tab plates are respectively disposed on bus bars of a plurality of the battery cells.

13. 12. The battery structure of claim 11, wherein the tab plate is made of a metal having a thermal conductivity at least equal to or higher than that of the bus bar.

14. 12. The battery structure according to claim 11, wherein the tab plate is provided to penetrate the housing so that one surface thereof contacts the fire-extinguishing material.

15. 15. The battery structure of claim 14, wherein the fire-extinguishing material comprises an electrically non-conductive fire-extinguishing agent to provide insulation between the plurality of tab plates.

16. 12. The battery structure of claim 11, further comprising an insulating pad provided between the bus bar and the tab plate to provide electrical insulation.

17. The battery structure according to claim 16, wherein the insulating pad is made of a thermally conductive resin so as to transfer heat generated from the bus bar to the tab plate.

18. The battery structure according to claim 16 , wherein the insulating pad is formed in a shape corresponding to a shape of the bus bar.

19. The battery structure according to claim 2 , wherein the heat-resistant and fire-extinguishing part includes a spike that is moved by gas ejected from the vent part of the battery cell and strikes and destroys the ejection part.

20. The battery structure according to claim 19, wherein the housing includes a spike support portion that protrudes from one surface along the periphery of the injection portion and receives the spike.

Images