Flame escape prevention vent device and battery pack including the same

Abstract

The vent device of the present invention includes an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid flow path from the inlet to the outlet, the fluid flow path having a bent shape configured to block flame movement.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vent device, and more particularly to a vent device that can discharge gas while preventing external exposure to flames in the event of an internal fire in a battery module or battery pack.

[0002] This application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0030768, filed on March 8, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety in the specification and drawings thereof. [Background technology]

[0003] Recently, secondary batteries have been applied to various devices. For example, secondary batteries are widely used as energy sources for wireless mobile devices and wearable devices, which are multifunctional small products, and are also used in electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles, which are presented as alternatives to existing gasoline and diesel vehicles.

[0004] Generally, the operating voltage of each commercially available 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 is constructed by connecting multiple secondary batteries in series and / or parallel, and a battery pack is constructed by connecting the battery modules in series and / or parallel, and these battery modules are used as an energy source.

[0005] As secondary batteries are used as large-capacity, high-output energy sources, ensuring the safety of battery modules and battery packs has become an important issue.

[0006] Because secondary batteries essentially use an electrochemical reaction mechanism as their driving principle, they can be subject to chemical explosions due to various causes, such as a strong external impact, a short circuit between electrodes, or electrolyte leakage. For example, when an overcurrent flows through a secondary battery, the internal temperature of the battery rises rapidly. This rapid increase in temperature can cause a decomposition reaction of the electrolyte, resulting in the generation of gas. In such cases, an increase in the internal pressure of the battery case can cause swelling, a type of swelling phenomenon, and if this worsens, the secondary battery can ignite or explode.

[0007] Meanwhile, in the case of battery modules and battery packs, many secondary batteries are housed in a sealed module case or pack case, and gas generated when a secondary battery ignites can increase internal pressure, posing a risk of collapse or a chain reaction explosion. Therefore, conventional battery modules and battery packs (see Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2021-0091514) have a vent device in the module case or pack case that opens at a predetermined pressure to discharge gas to the outside and prevent pressure buildup.

[0008] However, conventional vent devices have the disadvantage that when gas is vented to the outside, flames and high-temperature particles are also emitted. In particular, if flames are exposed to the outside of the module case or pack case, there is a high risk that the fire will spread to other battery modules or structures around the pack case. Therefore, there is a need for a vent device that can prevent the exposure of flames during gas venting. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and one object of the present invention is to provide a vent device that can discharge gas while preventing flames from being exposed to the outside.

[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] According to the present invention, a vent device can be provided that includes an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid flow path from the inlet to the outlet, and that blocks flame movement by having the fluid flow path have a bent shape.

[0012] The vent device may include an inlet vent unit having the inlet and configured to guide the flow of gas in a direction intersecting the inlet, and an outlet vent unit having the outlet, surrounding the outside of the inlet vent unit, and configured to cause the flow of gas to make one or more bends from the inlet vent unit to the outlet.

[0013] The inlet vent unit may include a base portion having the inlet at its center, a blocking disk portion spaced apart from the base portion and positioned opposite the inlet to block gas and flame, and an inlet side wall portion having an opening and connecting a frame of the base portion and a frame of the blocking disk portion.

[0014] The inlet side wall portion may have a plurality of openings, and may include partition walls between the plurality of openings.

[0015] The inlet vent unit may include a gas permeation prevention film covering the opening.

[0016] The gas permeation prevention film can be made of a heat-meltable material.

[0017] The outlet vent unit may include a vent disk portion spaced apart from the blocking disk portion and having the outlet on the opposite side of the blocking disk portion from the inlet, and an outlet side wall portion spaced apart from the inlet side wall portion, surrounding the inlet side wall portion, and connected to intersect with the vent disk portion.

[0018] The outlet side wall portion may have a discharge pocket formed by recessing an inner surface thereof.

[0019] The vent disc portion may be larger than the blocking disc portion, and the exhaust opening may be provided with a smaller diameter than the blocking disc portion.

[0020] The inlet vent unit may include a spacer protruding from the blocking disc portion toward the vent disc portion.

[0021] The outlet vent unit may include a base connection portion that is connected across the outlet sidewall portion and that is press-fit or lockingly coupled to the inlet vent unit.

[0022] The blocking disk portion may include a plurality of protrusions formed on a surface facing the inlet.

[0023] The plurality of protrusions may have an arc shape.

[0024] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery module including the vent device described above.

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

[0026] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a vent device that can discharge gas while preventing flames from being exposed to the outside.

[0027] The vent device according to one aspect of the present invention has a flow path configured in a multi-folded form, which provides high resistance to flame / spark movement, so that the flame / spark is extinguished within the vent device or is not exposed to the outside.

[0028] According to another aspect of the present invention, the discharge pocket is applied to the vent device, thereby preventing blockage of the flow path.

[0029] According to another aspect of the present invention, a gas permeation prevention film is normally applied to the fluid flow path between the outlet and the inlet so that air (oxygen) cannot pass through the vent device, thereby preventing air from flowing from the outside to the inside of a structure (e.g., a battery module or a battery pack) to which the vent device is applied at the time of initial ignition.

[0030] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects described above, and effects not mentioned 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]

[0031] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a battery pack to which a vent device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied; [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a vent device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of the vent device of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the inlet vent unit of FIG. 3. [Figure 5] 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the vent device taken along line AA' in FIG. 2. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the vent device taken along line BB' of FIG. 2. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of a vent device according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a partially exploded perspective view of the vent device of FIG. 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the vent device taken along CC' in FIG. 7. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the “J1” portion of FIG. 9. [Figure 11] 6 is a view corresponding to FIG. 5, showing a modification of the vent device of FIG. 5. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. [Figure 13] 6 is a view corresponding to FIG. 5 and showing yet another modification of the vent device of FIG. 5. FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 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 this specification and claims should not be construed as being limited to their ordinary and dictionary meanings, but should be construed as having 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.

[0033] Furthermore, in describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of related publicly known configurations or functions would obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted.

[0034] The embodiments of the present invention are provided to more completely explain the present invention to those skilled in the art, and therefore the shapes and sizes of components in the drawings may be exaggerated, omitted, or shown schematically for clearer explanation. Therefore, the sizes and proportions of each component do not completely reflect the actual sizes and proportions.

[0035] The vent device described below can be said to be a device for discharging gas to the outside of a sealed structure when gas is generated in the structure, thereby eliminating an increase in internal pressure of the structure. The vent device can be provided in the pack case 21 of the battery pack 20 or the module housing of the battery module.

[0036] 1, the vent device 10 may be provided on one side wall of a pack case 21. The pack case 21 may have a gas vent hole (not shown) at a position where the vent device 10 is provided, and an inlet K1 of the vent device 10 may be configured to communicate with the gas vent hole. This allows gas to be discharged to the outside of the battery pack 20 through the vent device 10 when an internal fire occurs in the battery pack.

[0037] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a vent device according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of the vent device of FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the inlet vent unit of FIG. 3; FIG. 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the vent device taken along line A-A' of FIG. 2; and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the vent device taken along line B-B' of FIG. 2.

[0038] Referring to these drawings, a vent device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an inlet K1, an outlet K2, and fluid flow paths P1-P3 through which gas can move from the inlet K1 to the outlet K2.

[0039] In particular, in the vent device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the fluid flow paths P1 to P3 are bent one or more times. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the vent device has fluid flow paths P1 to P3 bent in the inflow direction of gas flowing from the pack case 21 to the inlet K1. Therefore, until the gas passes through the vent device 10 and is discharged to the outside, it passes through the fluid flow paths P1 to P3, which are connected in a shape that is bent multiple times, as indicated by "P1," "P2," and "P3" in FIG. 5. At this time, the flame's linear movement and strength are significantly reduced each time the fluid flow paths P1 to P3 are blocked at a bent portion.

[0040] As will be described in detail later, the vent device 10 according to the present invention has very high resistance along the fluid flow paths P1-P3. Therefore, gas can pass through the vent device 10, but flames are extinguished inside the vent device 10 or are not easily released to the outside. Furthermore, the vent device 10 according to the present invention can form strong vortices inside the vent device 10 while the gas is moving, and these strong vortices can extinguish sparks or flames or make it more difficult for them to move.

[0041] Specifically, with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, a vent device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include an inlet vent unit 100 and an outlet vent unit 200.

[0042] The inlet vent unit 100 may include an inlet K1 and be configured to guide a gas flow in a direction intersecting the inlet K1. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the inlet vent unit 100 may be cylindrical with an empty interior. The inlet K1 is located at the bottom of the inlet vent unit 100, and the upper side of the inlet vent unit 100 is closed so that the gas flow entering the interior through the inlet K1 is guided in a direction intersecting the inlet K1. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, gas or flame may enter the interior space of the inlet vent unit 100 through the inlet K1. However, since the +Z direction opposite the inlet K1 is blocked, the gas flow is guided in a direction intersecting the inlet K1. In this case, the flame is primarily blocked, preventing exposure to the outside.

[0043] Considering the main components of such an inlet vent unit 100, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the inlet vent unit 100 includes a base portion 110 having the inlet K1 at its center, a blocking disk portion 120 that is spaced apart from the base portion 110 and positioned opposite the inlet K1 to block gas and flame, and an inlet side wall portion 130 that has an opening 131 and connects the frame of the base portion 110 and the frame of the blocking disk portion 120.

[0044] The base portion 110 and the blocking disk portion 120 form the lower and upper plates of the cylindrical inlet vent unit 100 in FIG. 3, and the inlet side wall portion 130 can be said to be the portion that forms the cylindrical side surface and thickness surface.

[0045] For reference, the inlet K1 of the base part 110 is arranged to communicate with a gas vent hole (not shown) of the pack case 21, and the periphery of the base part 110 may be fixed by contacting the outer surface of the pack case 21 around the gas vent hole, bolting, or the like.

[0046] The blocking disk portion 120 may be provided with an area larger than the inlet K1 of the base portion 110. By forming the area of ​​the blocking disk portion 120 larger than the diameter of the inlet K1, it is possible to prevent the flame flowing in through the inlet K1 from being exposed to the outside and to guide the flow of gas and flame toward the inlet side wall portion 130 that intersects with the inlet K1.

[0047] 4, the inlet side wall portion 130 includes a plurality of openings 131 formed along the circumferential direction of the inlet vent unit 100, and a plurality of partition walls 132 formed between the plurality of openings 131. The openings 131 and the partition walls 132 can be provided alternately along the circumferential direction of the inlet vent unit 100.

[0048] In this way, an opening 131 is provided in the inlet side wall portion 130, and as shown in Figure 5, gas can flow into the internal space of the inlet vent unit 100 through the inlet K1 and then flow out of the inlet vent unit 100 again through the opening 131.

[0049] At this time, the partition wall 132 may act as an obstacle that prevents the flame from moving, as in the region indicated by "Q1" in Fig. 6. In addition, as the gas flows into the opening 131, it collides with the surrounding partition walls, forming a strong vortex, which may extinguish or stagnate the flame.

[0050] The inlet vent unit 100 may include a gas permeation prevention film 140 that covers the opening 131. The gas permeation prevention film 140 normally serves to block air (oxygen) from passing through the opening 131.

[0051] 3 and 4, the gas permeation barrier film 140 may be attached to the surface of the inlet side wall 130 along the periphery of the inlet side wall 130 so as to completely cover the opening 131. Such a gas permeation barrier film 140 may be provided with a width and length corresponding to the periphery of the inlet side wall 130. Alternatively, a plurality of gas permeation barrier films 140 each having a size corresponding to the opening 131 may be used to cover only the opening 131.

[0052] The gas permeation prevention film 140 may be made of a material that melts when heated, such as an EVOH (Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol Copolymer) film.

[0053] In this way, by closing the opening 131 of the inlet vent unit 100 with the gas permeation prevention film 140, it is possible to prevent moisture and other foreign matter from entering the inside of the battery pack 20 (see FIG. 1) from the outside of the battery pack 20. Furthermore, if air (oxygen) enters the inside of the battery pack 20 at the initial stage of ignition of the battery pack 20, combustion may progress very quickly. However, since the gas permeation prevention film 140 is applied to the vent device 10 of the present invention, air (oxygen) does not enter the inside of the battery pack 20 from the outside of the battery pack 20 at the initial stage of ignition of the battery pack 20. In this case, it is possible to delay the combustion of the battery pack 20.

[0054] Meanwhile, if the ignition of the battery pack 20 worsens and a large amount of gas and flames are generated inside the battery pack 20, the gas and flames thermally melt the gas permeation prevention film 140, opening the opening 131 of the inlet side wall portion 130, and at this time, the gas can pass through the vent device 10 and be discharged to the outside of the battery pack 20.

[0055] In other words, the vent device 10 of the present invention is configured such that when gas or flame is generated, the gas permeation prevention film 140 disappears due to heat, opening 131 is opened, and gas can pass through, and under normal circumstances, the opening 131 is closed, preventing air (oxygen) from passing through.

[0056] The outlet vent unit 200 has an exhaust port K2 and surrounds the outside of the inlet vent unit 100, and is configured so that the gas flow from the inlet vent unit 100 to the exhaust port K2 bends one or more times.

[0057] 2 and 3, the outlet vent unit 200 may have an outlet K2 at the upper side of the outlet vent unit 200 and may be provided in a form that surrounds the entire outer periphery and part of the upper part of the inlet vent unit 100. In addition, the outlet vent unit 200 and the inlet vent unit 100 that are assembled together have a predetermined gap between the inner surface of the outlet vent unit 200 and the outer surface of the inlet vent unit 100. Due to the gap, fluid flow paths P2 and P3 in which the gas flow bends one or more times can be secured between the outside of the inlet vent unit 100 and the inside of the outlet vent unit 200.

[0058] 5, when gas flows into the space between the inlet vent unit 100 and the outlet vent unit 200 through the opening 131 of the inlet vent unit 100, the ±X direction (or ±Y direction) and the -Z direction are blocked, so the gas is guided in a direction intersecting with the opening 131, and the gas flow is bent again above the outlet vent unit 200. As a result, even the residual flame that has passed through the inlet vent unit 100 is blocked, preventing the flame from being exposed to the outside.

[0059] Considering the outlet vent unit 200 more specifically and primarily with reference to FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, the outlet vent unit 200 includes a vent disk portion 210 and an outlet sidewall portion 220.

[0060] The vent disk section 210 has an outlet K2 at its center and is disposed facing the blocking disk section 120 of the inlet vent unit 100 at a distance G1. The outlet K2 is located on the opposite side of the blocking disk section 120 from the inlet K1 of the inlet vent unit 100. Therefore, the vent device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention has a structure in which the inlet K1 and the outlet K2 are located in the same axial direction (Z direction), but the blocking disk section 120 blocks the space between them, thereby blocking the outflow of flames to the outside and allowing gas to move around the blocking disk section 120.

[0061] The vent disk portion 210 may be larger than the blocking disk portion 120, and the outlet K2 may have a smaller diameter than the blocking disk portion 120. That is, as shown in Figures 2 and 5, the vent disk portion 210 is larger than the blocking disk portion 120, and the outlet K2 may be smaller than the blocking disk portion 120, so that the peripheral region of the blocking disk portion 120 is covered by the inner peripheral region of the vent disk portion 210 and is not exposed. In this case, for example, even if a flame is pointing immediately in the +Z direction at a point outside the peripheral region of the blocking disk portion 120 in Figure 5, it is blocked by the inner peripheral region of the vent disk portion 210 and does not flow out of the vent device 10.

[0062] The outlet side wall portion 220 may be spaced apart (G2) from the inlet side wall portion 130, surround the inlet side wall portion 130, and connect to intersect with the vent disk portion 210. Such an outlet side wall portion 220 may function as a wall that blocks gas and flames discharged from the opening 131 of the inlet side wall portion 130 and redirects the gas flow to the vent disk portion 210 side.

[0063] The outlet side wall 220 includes a pocket 222 formed by recessing the inner surface of the outlet side wall 220. Preferably, the pocket 222 may be provided in a portion facing the opening 131 of the inlet side wall 130.

[0064] When an internal fire occurs in the battery pack 20, particles (e.g., electrode pieces peeled off from the electrode assembly and other fire residues) may flow into the inside of the vent device 10 along with the gas and flame. If the particles are deposited inside the vent device 10, the fluid flow paths P1 to P3 may be blocked, and the vent device 10 may not function normally.

[0065] To prevent this, in the vent device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the width (Z direction) of the fluid flow paths P1 to P3 between the inlet side wall portion 130 and the outlet side wall portion 220 is set to be relatively larger than the fluid flow paths P1 to P3 in other portions, as shown in Fig. 5. Furthermore, since the vent device 10 is provided with the exudate pocket 222 in the outlet side wall portion 220, the possibility of the fluid flow paths P1 to P3 being blocked is extremely low.

[0066] Specifically, the vent device 10 of the present invention has a wider gap G2 between the inlet side wall portion 130 and the outlet side wall portion 220, where particles are relatively more likely to accumulate, than the gap G1 between the blocking disk portion 120 and the vent disk portion 210, and further has a discharge pocket 222 recessed into the inner surface of the outlet side wall portion 220, so that particles are configured to accumulate in the discharge pocket 222.

[0067] With the above-described configuration, particles are allowed to gather in the part of the vent device with the largest amount of space, thereby reducing the risk of clogging the fluid flow path and preventing high-temperature particles from escaping to the outside and becoming a fire hazard outside the battery pack.

[0068] 5, the outlet vent unit 200 may further include a base connection portion 230. The base connection portion 230 may be connected to the outlet sidewall portion 220 so as to cross the outlet sidewall portion 220 and may be connected to the base portion 110 of the inlet vent unit 100 side by side.

[0069] Such a base connection portion 230 can serve to support the inlet vent unit 100 and hold the inlet vent unit 100, and also to block the gas that comes out through the opening 131 of the inlet side wall portion 130 from moving in the -Z direction.

[0070] However, the base connecting portion 230 may be omitted depending on the circumstances. For example, when the vent device 10 is fixedly coupled to the outer surface of the pack case 21, if the gas vent hole of the pack case 21 is smaller than the base portion 110 of the inlet vent unit and the outer surface of the pack case 21 can block the gas flow in the -Z direction between the inlet side wall portion 130 and the outlet side wall portion 220, the base connecting portion 230 may be omitted.

[0071] According to the configuration and operation of the vent device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention described above, when a thermal event occurs in a battery module or battery pack 20, gas passes through, but flames are extinguished inside the vent device 10 or their movement is restricted, preventing them from escaping to the outside. Furthermore, the vent device 10 includes the discharge pocket 222, which can prevent high-temperature particles and the like from escaping to the outside and blocking the flow paths P1 to P3. Furthermore, the vent device 10 includes the gas permeation prevention film 140, which can normally prevent air (oxygen) from flowing from the outside into a structure (e.g., a battery module or battery pack 20) ​​to which the vent device 10 is applied at the time of initial ignition.

[0072] FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of a vent device 10 according to another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 8 is a partially exploded perspective view of the vent device 10 of FIG. 7, FIG. 9 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the vent device 10 along CC' of FIG. 7, and FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the "J1" portion of FIG. 9.

[0073] Next, a vent device 10 according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0074] The same component numbers as those in the above-described embodiment indicate the same components, and a duplicated description of the same components will be omitted, with the focus being on the differences from the above-described embodiment.

[0075] In the vent device 10 according to another embodiment of the present invention, compared to the vent device 10 according to the above-described embodiment, the inlet vent unit 100A further includes a spacer 121, and the connection structure between the base connection portion 230 and the base portion 110 is different.

[0076] 7 to 9, in another embodiment of the present invention, the spacers 121 may be provided to protrude from the blocking disc portion 120 toward the vent disc portion 210. Here, the protruding length of the spacers 121 may correspond to the gap G1 between the blocking disc portion 120 and the vent disc portion 210. Preferably, the spacers 121 may be located in the periphery of the blocking disc portion 120 and provided at regular intervals along the circumferential direction of the blocking disc portion 120.

[0077] In the vent device 10 according to the above embodiment, when a thermal event occurs in the battery pack 20, gas and flames flowing from the inlet K1 toward the blocking disc portion 120 continuously apply a strong impact to the blocking disc portion 120. As a result, the inlet vent unit 100 is pushed in the +Z direction relative to the outlet vent unit 200, and if the blocking disc portion 120 and the vent disc portion 210 come into contact with each other, the fluid flow paths P1 to P3 may be blocked. Furthermore, if the pressure of the gas and flame is very high, the blocking disc portion 120 may fall off from the inlet vent unit 100.

[0078] However, in the case of another embodiment of the present invention, in a situation where the pressure of gas and flame acts on the blocking disc portion 120 as described above, the spacer 121 acts to prevent the inlet vent unit 100 from moving in the +Z direction relative to the outlet vent unit 200, thereby maintaining a constant distance between the blocking disc portion 120 and the vent disc portion 210. Therefore, compared to the above-described embodiment, the other embodiment of the present invention can more stably maintain the fluid flow paths P1 to P3 while the gas passes through the vent device 10.

[0079] 9 and 10, an outlet vent unit 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a base connection part 230 that is connected to intersect with the outlet side wall part 220 and is press-fitted or lockingly coupled to the inlet vent unit 100A. For example, the base connection part 230 may include a locking member 231, and the base part 110 of the inlet vent unit 100A may include a locking protrusion 111 that is capable of locking and disengaging with the locking member.

[0080] That is, as shown in FIG. 10, by configuring the base portion 110 of the inlet vent unit 100 and the base connection portion 230 of the outlet vent unit 200 to be interlocked with each other, the ease of assembly, fixation, and airtightness between the inlet vent unit 100 and the outlet vent unit 200 can be improved.

[0081] FIG. 11 is a view corresponding to FIG. 5 and shows a modified example of the vent device 10 of FIG. 5, FIG. 12 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 11, FIG. 13 is a view corresponding to FIG. 5 and shows another modified example of the vent device 10 of FIG. 5, and FIG. 14 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 13.

[0082] Next, with reference to FIGS. 11 to 14, modifications of the blocking disc in the vent device 10 according to the present invention will be briefly described.

[0083] The blocking disc portion 120 of the inlet vent unit 100 may include a plurality of protrusions 122, 123 formed on a surface facing the inlet K1. The plurality of protrusions 122, 123 may be provided spaced apart from one another across the entire surface of the blocking disc portion 120.

[0084] For example, the protrusion 122 may be rectangular as in the embodiment of Fig. 11. Alternatively, the protrusion 123 may be arc-shaped as in the embodiment of Fig. 13. Here, the arc shape may be configured to open in a direction toward an imaginary center line CL dividing the length of the blocking disc portion 120 and close toward the edge of the blocking disc portion 120.

[0085] 12 or 14, the protrusions 122, 123 can act to prevent flames or particles from moving along the surface of the blocking disc and guide them back toward the inlet K1 (-Z direction). The protrusions 122, 123 can also be effective in increasing the rigidity of the blocking disc portion 120. The protrusions 122, 123 can also be effective in generating vortex flows that promote the extinction of flames.

[0086] Meanwhile, although not shown for convenience of illustration, a battery module according to the present invention may include the above-described vent device 10. The battery module may further include one or more battery cells and a module housing having an internal space capable of accommodating the one or more battery cells. The vent device 10 may be configured to be fixedly attached to one side of the module housing.

[0087] A battery pack 20 according to the present invention may include the above-described vent device 10, as shown in Fig. 1. The battery pack 20 may further include one or more battery modules and a pack case 21 having an internal space capable of accommodating the one or more battery modules.

[0088] 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.

[0089] Meanwhile, although terms indicating directions such as up, down, left, right, front, and back 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.

Claims

1. an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid flow path from the inlet to the outlet; A vent device in which the fluid flow path has a bent shape to block flame movement.

2. an inlet vent unit including the inlet and configured to direct gas flow in a direction transverse to the inlet; an outlet vent unit including the exhaust port, surrounding the outside of the inlet vent unit, and configured to allow gas flow from the inlet vent unit to the exhaust port to make one or more bends.

3. The inlet vent unit comprises: a base portion having the inlet at its center; a blocking disk portion spaced apart from the base portion and positioned opposite the inlet to block gas and flame; 3. The vent device of claim 2, further comprising an inlet sidewall portion having an opening therein and connecting a rim of the base portion and a rim of the blocking disc portion.

4. The inlet side wall portion The vent device of claim 3 , wherein the opening is a plurality of openings, and a partition wall is provided between the plurality of openings.

5. The inlet vent unit comprises: The vent device of claim 3 including a gas permeation prevention film covering the opening.

6. The vent device according to claim 5 , wherein the gas permeation prevention film is made of a heat-meltable material.

7. The outlet vent unit comprises: a vent disk portion spaced apart from the blocking disk portion and having the outlet on the opposite side of the blocking disk portion from the inlet; an outlet sidewall spaced from said inlet sidewall, surrounding said inlet sidewall and intersecting said vent disk portion.

8. The outlet side wall portion is 8. The vent device of claim 7, further comprising a discharge pocket recessed into the interior surface.

9. the vent disc portion is larger than the blocking disc portion; The vent device of claim 7 , wherein the outlet has a diameter smaller than the blocking disc portion.

10. The vent device of claim 7 , wherein the inlet vent unit includes a spacer that protrudes from the blocking disc portion toward the vent disc portion.

11. The vent device of claim 7 , wherein the outlet vent unit includes a base connection portion that intersects with the outlet sidewall portion and that is press-fit or lockingly coupled to the inlet vent unit.

12. The blocking disc portion is The vent device according to claim 3 , further comprising a plurality of protrusions formed on a surface facing the inlet.

13. The vent device of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of protrusions have an arc shape.

14. A battery module comprising a vent device according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. A battery pack comprising the vent device of any one of claims 1 to 13.

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