Battery module for thermal runaway delay and battery pack including the same

Abstract

A battery module for thermal runaway delay according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked, a module case for accommodating the battery cell stack, and an end plate disposed on one side of the module case, wherein at least a portion of the end plate is coated with a flame-retardant paint.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery module and a battery pack including the same, and more particularly to a battery module for delaying thermal runaway and a battery pack including the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Unlike primary batteries, which cannot be recharged, secondary batteries are batteries that can be charged and discharged. They are used not only in portable devices but also in electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), which are powered by electrical sources.

[0003] 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 such unit secondary battery cells, i.e., unit battery cells, is approximately 2.5V to 4.6V. Therefore, when a higher output voltage is required, a battery pack is constructed by connecting multiple battery cells in series. Alternatively, a battery pack may be constructed by connecting multiple battery cells in parallel depending on the required charge / discharge capacity of the battery pack. Therefore, the number of battery cells included in the battery pack can be variously set depending on the required output voltage or charge / discharge capacity.

[0004] When a battery pack is constructed by connecting a plurality of battery cells in series / parallel, a common method is to first construct a battery module including at least one battery cell, preferably a plurality of battery cells, and then use at least one such battery module to construct the battery pack by adding other components. Here, the battery module refers to a component in which a plurality of battery cells are connected in series or parallel, and the battery pack refers to a component in which a plurality of battery modules are connected in series or parallel to increase capacity, output, etc.

[0005] However, if such a battery pack is overcharged, the battery module may swell, causing an explosion or fire, which can pose a greater risk to human life.

[0006] During thermal runaway of a battery pack, gas and particles generated from a module may cause an external short circuit between adjacent modules, which may accelerate the rate of heat transfer. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a battery module for delaying thermal runaway and a battery pack including the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A battery module for thermal runaway delay according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked, a module case for accommodating the battery cell stack, and an end plate disposed on one side of the module case, wherein at least a portion of the end plate is coated with a flame-retardant paint.

[0009] The end plate also includes a terminal opening.

[0010] The flame-retardant paint is applied to the end plate around the terminal opening.

[0011] The battery module for thermal runaway delay further includes a terminal bus bar, one end of which is exposed through the terminal opening.

[0012] The battery pack further includes a bus bar frame disposed on one side of the battery cell stack.

[0013] The terminal bus bars are disposed on the bus bar frame.

[0014] The bus bar frame further includes an insulating cover disposed on the outside of the bus bar frame.

[0015] The insulating cover also includes an opening through which the terminal bus bar is exposed.

[0016] The flame-retardant paint is applied to the front surface of the end plate.

[0017] A battery module for thermal runaway delay according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked, a module case for accommodating the battery cell stack, and an end plate disposed on one side of the module case, wherein at least a portion of the end plate is coated with a heat-resistant paint.

[0018] The heat-resistant paint is applied to the end plate around the terminal opening.

[0019] The heat-resistant paint is applied to the front surface of the end plate. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] A battery module and a battery pack including the same according to an embodiment of the present invention have the effect of delaying or preventing the occurrence of an external short circuit in an adjacent module due to gas and particles generated in the battery module during thermal runaway, thereby delaying thermal runaway. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2]1 is an exploded perspective view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a terminal bus bar according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an insulating cover and an end plate according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an end plate according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a front view of an end plate according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an end plate according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] The advantages and features of the present invention, as well as methods for achieving the same, will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, and may be embodied in various different forms. However, these embodiments are provided to fully disclose the present invention and to fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. The present invention is defined only by the claims. Therefore, in some embodiments, well-known process steps, well-known device structures, and well-known techniques will not be described in detail to avoid ambiguity. The same reference numerals refer to the same elements throughout the specification.

[0023] In the drawings, thicknesses of layers and regions may be exaggerated to clearly illustrate them. Similar parts are designated by the same reference numerals throughout the specification. When a layer, film, region, plate, or other part is said to be "on" another part, this includes not only the case where it is "directly on" the other part, but also the case where there are other parts between them. Conversely, when a part is said to be "directly on" another part, it means that there are no other parts between them. Furthermore, when a part is said to be "under" another part, it includes not only the case where it is "directly under" the other part, but also the case where there are other parts between them. Conversely, when a part is said to be "under" another part, it means that there are no other parts between them.

[0024] A battery module 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a battery module according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a battery module according to the present invention, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a battery cell according to the present invention, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a terminal bus bar according to the present invention, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an insulating cover and end plate according to the present invention, FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an end plate according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 is a front view of an end plate according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an end plate according to another embodiment.

[0026] A battery module 1000 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a battery cell stack 100 in which a plurality of battery cells 110 are stacked, a module case 200 that houses the battery cell stack 100, a bus bar frame 300 positioned on one side and / or the other side of the battery cell stack 100, an insulating cover 500 arranged on the outside of the bus bar frame 300, and an end plate 400 arranged on the outside of the insulating cover 500.

[0027] The battery cell stack 100 is configured by stacking a plurality of battery cells 110 in one direction, and the plurality of battery cells 110 may be electrically connected. The direction in which the plurality of battery cells 110 are stacked may be the X-axis direction (or the −X-axis direction) in FIG. 2 .

[0028] The direction from the front surface to the rear surface of the battery cell stack 100 or the opposite direction may be defined as the length direction of the battery cell stack 100, which may be the Y-axis direction in the drawing. Also, the direction from the top surface to the bottom surface of the battery cell stack 100 or the opposite direction may be defined as the width direction of the battery cell stack 100, which may be the Z-axis direction in the drawing.

[0029] The length direction of the battery cell stack 100 may be substantially the same as the length direction of the battery cells 110. The electrode leads 111, 112 of the battery cells 110 may be located on the front and rear surfaces of the battery cell stack 100, and the bus bars 310, 320 of the battery module 1000 may be disposed near the front and rear surfaces of the battery cell stack 100 so as to easily form electrical connections with the electrode leads 111, 112.

[0030] The battery cells 110 may be provided as pouch-type battery cells, which can maximize the number of stacked cells per unit area. However, the battery cells 110 do not necessarily have to be provided as pouch-type cells, and may also be provided as prismatic, cylindrical, or various other shapes.

[0031] The battery cell 110 provided in a pouch form can include an electrode assembly and a cell case 115 that houses the electrode assembly (see FIG. 3).

[0032] The cell case 115 of the battery cell 110 is for housing the electrode assembly and may be a pouch-type cell case 115. The cell case 115 includes a lower case and an upper case covering the lower case, and the upper and lower cases may be integrated. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3, the cell case 115 may have a foldable structure in which the connecting portion between the upper and lower cases is folded. As shown in the figure, the upper case may completely cover the lower case, and a sealing portion 114 may be formed around the periphery.

[0033] Both the upper and lower cases may have a laminate structure including an inner coating layer, a metal layer, and an outer coating layer. The inner coating layer is located inside the cell case 115 relative to the metal layer and is in direct contact with the electrode assembly, so it must have insulating and electrolytic resistance. Furthermore, the sealing properties, i.e., the sealing portion where the inner layers are thermally bonded together, must have excellent thermal adhesive strength to seal against the outside. The metal layer is located between the inner and outer coating layers and serves as a barrier layer to prevent moisture and various gases from penetrating into the battery from the outside. A preferred material for the metal layer in contact with the inner coating layer is an aluminum (Al) thin film, which is lightweight yet highly formable. The outer coating layer is located outside the cell case 115 relative to the metal layer. This outer coating layer can be made of a heat-resistant polymer with excellent tensile strength, moisture barrier, and air barrier properties to protect the electrode assembly while ensuring heat and chemical resistance. For example, nylon or polyethylene terephthalate can be used.

[0034] The upper case and the lower case may each have a receiving groove 116 formed therein, and the electrode assembly may be received in the receiving groove 116 of the upper case and the lower case.

[0035] The electrode assembly accommodated in the cell case 115 may be one selected from the group consisting of a jelly roll type electrode assembly in which a positive electrode and a negative electrode, both of which are long sheets, are rolled up with a separator interposed between them; a stack type electrode assembly consisting of unit cells in which rectangular positive and negative electrodes are stacked with a separator sandwiched between them; a stack folding type electrode assembly in which unit cells are rolled up with a long separator film; and a lamination stack type electrode assembly in which unit cells are stacked with a separator sandwiched between them and attached to each other.

[0036] The electrode assembly may also include two electrode tabs and two electrode leads 111 and 112 connected to the electrode tabs via welding, respectively.

[0037] One of the two electrode leads 111, 112 may be a positive electrode lead connected to a positive electrode tab, and the other electrode lead 111, 112 may be a negative electrode lead connected to a negative electrode tab.

[0038] A lead film 113 may be attached to each of the electrode leads 111 and 112. The lead film 113 connected to the electrode leads 111 and 112 is located between the electrode leads 111 and 112 and the cell case 115, and prevents short circuits from occurring between the electrode leads 111 and 112 and the cell case 115, and improves sealing strength to prevent leakage of electrolyte.

[0039] Although the two electrode leads 111, 112 are shown as being located on either side of the electrode assembly, they may be located on only one side of the electrode assembly depending on the placement of the electrode tabs.

[0040] The module case 200 is intended to protect the battery cell stack 100 and the electrical components connected thereto from external physical impacts, and the module case 200 can accommodate the battery cell stack 100 and the electrical components connected thereto in its internal space.

[0041] The module case 200 may have various structures. For example, the module case 200 may have a mono-frame structure. Here, the mono-frame may be in the form of a metal plate with an integrated top, bottom, and both side surfaces. The mono-frame may be manufactured by extrusion molding. As another example, the module case 200 may have a structure in which a U-shaped frame and an upper plate (upper surface 201) are coupled together. In the case of a structure in which a U-shaped frame and an upper plate are coupled together, the module case 200 may be formed by coupling the upper plate to the top of a U-shaped frame made of a metal plate with an integrated bottom and both side surfaces, and each frame or plate may be manufactured by press molding. In addition to the mono-frame or U-shaped frame, the module case 200 may also have an L-shaped frame structure, or various other structures not described in the above examples.

[0042] The module case 200 may be provided with an open structure along the length of the battery cell stack 100. The front and rear surfaces of the battery cell stack 100 may not be blocked by the module case 200. The electrode leads 111, 112 of the battery cells 110 may not be blocked by the module case 200. The front and rear surfaces of the battery cell stack 100 may be blocked by a bus bar frame 300, an end plate 400, or bus bars 310, 320, which will be described later, thereby protecting the front and rear surfaces of the battery cell stack 100 from external physical impacts, etc.

[0043] A compression pad 150 may be disposed between the battery cell stack 100 and one side of the inner surface of the module case 200 .

[0044] The compression pad 150 may be disposed in the battery cell stack 100 so as to face the outermost battery cell 110 of the battery cell stack 100 in the X-axis direction on the drawing.

[0045] Furthermore, although not shown, a thermally conductive resin may be injected between the battery cell stack 100 and the inner surface of the module case 200, and the injected thermally conductive resin may form a thermally conductive resin layer (not shown) between the battery cell stack 100 and one of the inner surfaces of the module case 200. Here, the thermally conductive resin layer may be located on the Z-axis of the battery cell stack 100, and may be formed between the thermally conductive resin battery cell stack 100 and the bottom surface of the module case 200 located on the -Z-axis.

[0046] The bus bar frame 300 is positioned on one side of the battery cell stack 100 to cover that side and guide the connection between the battery cell stack 100 and an external device. Specifically, the bus bar frame 300 may be positioned on the front or rear side of the battery cell stack 100 as shown in the figure, or on the top, bottom, or side. At least one of bus bars 310, 320 and a module connector may be attached to the bus bar frame 300. As shown in FIG. 3 , one side of the bus bar frame 300 may be connected to one side or the other side of the battery cell stack 100, and the other side of the bus bar frame 300 may be connected to the bus bars 310, 320.

[0047] The bus bar frame 300 may include an electrically insulating material. The bus bar frame 300 can limit contact between the bus bars 310, 320 and other parts of the battery cell 110 other than the parts joined to the electrode leads 111, 112, thereby preventing an electrical short circuit from occurring.

[0048] The bus bar frames 300 may be located on one side and the other side of the battery cell stack 100, respectively.

[0049] The bus bars 310, 320 may be attached to the bus bar seats 340 on one surface of the bus bar frame 300 to electrically connect the battery cell stack 100 or the battery cells 110 to an external device circuit. A plurality of bus bars 310, 320 may be arranged, and by being positioned between the battery cell stack 100 or the bus bar frame 300 and the end plate 400, they can be protected from external impacts and minimize deterioration in durability due to external moisture, etc.

[0050] The bus bars 310 , 320 may be electrically connected to the battery cell stack 100 via the electrode leads 111 , 112 of the battery cells 110 .

[0051] Specifically, the electrode leads 111, 112 of the battery cells 110 may pass through lead slits formed in the bus bar frame 300 and then bend to be connected to the bus bars 310, 320. As shown in Fig. 8, the electrode leads 111, 112 of the battery cells 110 may be connected to both sides of the bus bars 310, 320, and the electrode lead 111 connected to one side of the bus bars 310, 320 may be a positive lead, and the electrode lead 112 connected to the other side of the bus bars 310, 320 may be a negative lead.

[0052] The bus bars 310, 320 allow the battery cells 110 that make up the battery cell stack 100 to be connected in series or in parallel.

[0053] The bus bars 310, 320 may include a terminal bus bar 320 for electrically connecting one battery module 100 to another battery module 100. To connect to another battery module 100, at least a portion of the terminal bus bar 320 is exposed to the outside of the end plate 400, and the end plate 400 may have a terminal opening 410 for this purpose.

[0054] One end (second portion 322 ) of the terminal bus bar 320 may be exposed to the outside of the module 1000 through the opening 510 in the insulating cover 500 and the terminal opening 410 in the end plate 400 .

[0055] 4, the terminal bus bar 320 may include a first portion 321 connected to the electrode leads 111 and 112 of the battery cell 110 and a second portion 322 exposed to the outside through the terminal opening 410. The terminal bus bar 320 may further include a bending portion 323 formed between the first portion 321 and the second portion 322.

[0056] In terminal bus bar 320, first portion 321 is connected to second portion 322 via bent portion 323, and one surface of first portion 321 and one surface of second portion 322 may be perpendicular to each other. That is, by forming bent portion 323 in terminal bus bar 320, second portion 322 may protrude and seat on seat portion 530 of insulating cover 500, and second portion 322 may be electrically connected to pack bus bar 1100. Second portion 322 constituting one end of terminal bus bar 320 has coupling hole 322a formed therein, and second portion 322 of terminal bus bar 320 is fixed by fixing pin 550 inserted into coupling hole 322a.

[0057] In addition, an insulating cover 500 for electrical insulation may be positioned between the bus bar frame 300 and the end plate 400. That is, the bus bar frame 300, the insulating cover 500, and the end plate 400 may be positioned in this order from the outside of the battery cell stack 100. As with the end plate 400, a plurality of bus bar frames 300 and a plurality of insulating covers 500 may be provided.

[0058] The insulating cover 500 may include an electrically insulating material and may block contact between the bus bars 310 and 320 and the end plate 400 .

[0059] The insulating cover 500 may include an opening 510 and a seat 530. The openings 510 are disposed on both sides of the upper portion of the insulating cover 500, and one end (second portion 322) of the terminal bus bar 320 may be exposed through the openings 510.

[0060] A connector opening may be located between the openings 510 located on both sides of the insulating cover 500, and the module connector may be exposed to the outside through the connector opening.

[0061] The insulating cover 500 may be positioned on the inner surface of the end plate 400 and may be in close contact with the inner surface of the end plate 400, but is not necessarily limited to this.

[0062] As described above, one end (second portion 322) of terminal bus bar 320 may be exposed through opening 510, and this exposed one end (second portion 322) of terminal bus bar 320 may be seated on seat 530. Thus, seat 530 may be disposed adjacent to opening 510 and on the upper outer surface.

[0063] The seating portion 530 can seat the second portion 322 of the terminal bus bar 320 on its upper surface, and thus the upper surface of the seating portion 530 can form a seating surface. Also, as shown in FIG. 5, the seating portion 530 can include a fixing portion 531 for fixing the terminal bus bar 320.

[0064] The fixing member 531 can fix the second portion 322 of the terminal bus bar 320 and can include a fixing hole 531a.

[0065] A fixing pin (not shown) may be inserted into the fixing hole 531a. The fixing pin (not shown) is inserted into the coupling hole 322a formed in the second portion 322 of the terminal bus bar 320 and coupled to the fixing hole 531a, thereby fixing the second portion 322 of the terminal bus bar 320 to the insulating cover 500.

[0066] Therefore, second portion 322 of terminal bus bar 320 is seated on seating portion 530 of insulating cover 500 , and second portion 322 is seated on and comes into contact with fixing member 531 arranged on seating portion 530 .

[0067] A terminal cover portion (not shown) that covers one end (second portion 322) of the exposed terminal bus bar 320 may be disposed on the insulating cover 500.

[0068] The end plate 400 may serve to protect the battery cell stack 100 and the electrical components connected thereto from external physical impact by sealing the open side of the module case 200. To this end, the end plate 400 may be made of a material having a predetermined strength, and may include, for example, a metal such as aluminum or a plastic material.

[0069] Terminal openings 410 may be formed in the end plate 400. The terminal openings 410 may be arranged on both sides of the end plate 400, and a portion of the insulating cover 500 and one end (second portion 322) of the terminal bus bar 320 may be exposed through the terminal openings 410.

[0070] A connector opening is located between the terminal openings 410 located on both sides of the end plate 400, and the module connector may be exposed to the outside through the connector opening.

[0071] The end plate 400 may be coupled to the module case 200 while covering the bus bar frame 300 or the bus bars 310, 320 located on one surface of the battery cell stack 100. Each corner of the end plate 400 may be coupled to a corresponding corner of the module case 200 by welding, bolting, hook fastening, or the like.

[0072] The end plates 400 may be located on one side and the other side of the module case 200 so as to cover both sides of the battery cell stack 100. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the end plates 400 are located on the front and rear sides of the module case 200.

[0073] 5 to 8, in one embodiment of the present invention, at least a portion of the end plate 400 may be coated with a heat-resistant paint or a flame-retardant paint 412. Thus, at least a portion of the end plate 400 may include a flame-retardant paint layer (heat-resistant paint layer).

[0074] The flame-retardant coating layer (heat-resistant coating layer) may be formed by applying a heat-resistant paint or flame-retardant paint 412 to the end plate 400. The heat-resistant paint or flame-retardant paint 412 (shown in gray in the drawings) may be applied to a peripheral region 411 of the terminal opening 410, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, so that the flame-retardant coating layer (heat-resistant coating layer) may be formed in the peripheral region 411 of the terminal opening 410. The heat-resistant paint or flame-retardant paint 412 may be applied to the entire edge along the periphery of the terminal opening 410. As an example, the peripheral region 411 of the terminal opening 410 where the flame-retardant coating layer (heat-resistant coating layer) is formed may be within 10 mm or 5 mm from the terminal opening 410.

[0075] The flame-retardant coating layer (heat-resistant coating layer) may be disposed on the front surface portion 420 of the end plate 400, and the front surface portion 420 may include, from top to bottom, an upper vertical surface portion 412a, a horizontal surface portion 412b, and a lower vertical surface portion 412c.

[0076] A flame-retardant coating layer (heat-resistant coating layer) may be formed on the front surface 420 on the upper vertical surface 412a, the horizontal surface 412b, and the upper edge 412d of the lower vertical surface 412c.

[0077] In the front surface portion 420, the upper vertical surface portion 412a may be disposed at the top of the front surface portion 420 and may extend vertically in the height direction (Z-axis direction) of the battery module 1000. A flame-retardant coating layer (heat-resistant coating layer) may be formed on the entire upper vertical surface portion 412a in the front surface portion 420.

[0078] The horizontal surface portion 412b may be bent outward from the lower end of the upper vertical surface portion 412a in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the battery module 1000 and extend horizontally, and may be disposed between the upper vertical surface portion 412a and the lower vertical surface portion 412c. A flame-retardant coating layer (heat-resistant coating layer) may be formed on the entire horizontal surface portion 412b.

[0079] In the front surface portion 420, the lower vertical surface portion 412c may be disposed at the lower portion of the front surface portion 420, bent downward at the front end of the horizontal surface portion 412b, and extend vertically in the height direction (Z-axis direction) of the battery module 1000. A flame-retardant coating layer (heat-resistant coating layer) may be formed on an upper edge 412d of the lower vertical surface portion 412c, and the width of the upper edge 412d on which the flame-retardant coating layer (heat-resistant coating layer) is formed may be within 5 mm.

[0080] 8, a heat-resistant or flame-retardant paint 412 may be applied not only to the surrounding area 411 of the terminal opening 410 but also to the entire front part 420 of the end plate 400.

[0081] The end plate 400 may include a front part 420 exposed to the outside of the module 1000 (or module case 200) and a rear part 430 facing the inside of the module 1000 (or module case 200).

[0082] In the end plate 400, the front surface 420 is the part facing the outside of the module 1000 (or module case 200) and corresponds to the external surface of the end plate 400, and the front surface 420 includes, from top to bottom, an upper vertical surface portion 412a, a horizontal surface portion 412b, and a lower vertical surface portion 412c.

[0083] The rear surface 430 of the end plate 400 faces the inside of the module 1000 (or module case 200 ), and may correspond to the inner surface of the end plate 400 , or the surface opposite to the front surface 420 .

[0084] The rear surface 430 may face the module case 200 or the insulating cover 500 , and may be coupled to the module case 200 .

[0085] Here, as shown in FIG. 8, a heat-resistant paint or a flame-retardant paint 412 may be applied to the front surface 420 except for the rear surface 430 facing the insulating cover 500.

[0086] In this embodiment, the heat-resistant or flame-retardant paint 412 may be a silicone-based or epoxy-based paint.

[0087] In a battery pack, gas and particles generated in a battery module during thermal runaway can cause an external short circuit in adjacent modules, accelerating the rate of heat transfer.

[0088] In particular, the terminal bus bar 320 is exposed in the area of ​​the terminal opening 410 in the end plate 400, and gas and particles can be emitted through this terminal opening 410 in the event of a fire.

[0089] In this embodiment, as described above, by applying heat-resistant paint or flame-retardant paint 412 to the area surrounding the terminal opening 410 or the front surface 420 of the end plate 400, it is possible to delay or prevent the occurrence of an external short circuit in an adjacent module 1000, and to delay thermal runaway.

[0090] In this embodiment, the end plate 400 can be manufactured by sequentially performing die casting, shot blasting, painting, processing, and cleaning.

[0091] First, the die casting step is a step of injecting molten metal into a mold to obtain the end plate 400. For example, the end plate 400 can be obtained by injecting molten aluminum into the mold.

[0092] After die casting, the end plate 400 obtained may undergo shot blasting. The shot blasting step is for removing foreign matter such as sand remaining on the surface of the end plate 400 obtained after die casting, and the foreign matter may be removed by projecting fine metal or non-metal particles onto the end plate 400.

[0093] After shot blasting, a painting step can be performed.

[0094] In the painting step, as described above, a heat-resistant or flame-retardant paint 412 can be applied to the surrounding area 411 of the terminal opening 410 or the entire front part 420 of the end plate 400 .

[0095] Thereafter, the manufacturing of the end plate 400 can be completed through the steps of processing and cleaning.

[0096] Table 1 below shows the results of an insulation evaluation test of the end plate 400 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0097] As shown in Table 1, in the insulation evaluation test, no leakage current was detected at both voltages of 0.5 kV and 1 kV, indicating a pass (OK).

[0098] [Table 1]

[0099] One or more battery modules 1000 according to the present invention as described above may form a battery pack, and electrical connection between the battery modules 1000 may be made via an inter-bus bar (not shown). The inter-bus bar is a member for connecting one battery module 1000 to another adjacent battery module 1000 or a BDU (Battery Disconnect Unit), and may be connected to an exposed end (second portion 322) of the terminal bus bar 320. For example, the inter-bus bar may be connected to an upper portion of one end (second portion 322) of the terminal bus bar 320 by overlapping it.

[0100] After one end of the inter-busbar is placed overlapping on the second part 322 of the terminal busbar 320, the fixing pin is inserted sequentially into the connecting hole of the inter-busbar and the connecting hole 322a of the second part 322 of the terminal busbar 320, and then the fixing pin is fixed in the fixing groove 531a of the seating portion 530, thereby connecting the inter-busbar to the terminal busbar 320.

[0101] Then, the second portion 322 of the terminal bus bar 320 together with the inter-bus bar can be fixed to the insulating cover 500 by the fixing pin.

[0102] The battery pack according to the present invention may accommodate at least one battery module 1000 inside a pack case, and may include various control and protection systems such as a BMS (Battery Management System) and a cooling system.

[0103] The battery module 1000 and the battery pack according to the present invention configured as described above can be applied to various devices, specifically, but not limited to, transportation means such as electric bicycles, electric cars, and hybrid cars, and energy storage systems (ESS).

[0104] Although the present invention has been described based on the preferred embodiments as above, it is not limited to the above embodiments, and various changes and modifications may be made by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0105] The present invention can provide a battery module and a battery pack that delay or prevent the occurrence of an external short circuit in an adjacent module due to gas and particles generated in the battery module during thermal runaway, thereby delaying thermal runaway.

Claims

1. 1. A battery module for thermal runaway delay, comprising: a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked; a module case for accommodating the battery cell stack; an end plate disposed on one side of the module case; Including, At least a portion of the end plate is coated with a flame-retardant paint.

2. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the end plate includes a terminal opening.

3. The battery module according to claim 2 , wherein the flame-retardant paint is applied to the end plates around the terminal openings.

4. further including a terminal bus bar; The battery module according to claim 3 , wherein one end of the terminal bus bar is exposed through the terminal opening.

5. The battery module according to claim 4 , further comprising a bus bar frame disposed on one side of the battery cell stack.

6. The battery module according to claim 5 , wherein the terminal bus bar is disposed on the bus bar frame.

7. The battery module according to claim 6 , further comprising an insulating cover disposed on an outer side of the bus bar frame.

8. The battery module according to claim 7 , wherein the insulating cover includes an opening through which the terminal bus bar is exposed.

9. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the flame-retardant paint is applied to a front surface of the end plate.

10. the front surface of the end plate includes an upper vertical surface portion, a horizontal surface portion bent from the upper vertical surface portion and extending horizontally, and a lower vertical surface portion bent from a front end of the horizontal surface portion and extending vertically, The battery module according to claim 9 , wherein the flame-retardant paint is applied to the upper vertical surface portion and the horizontal surface portion.

11. The battery module according to claim 10 , wherein the flame-retardant paint is applied to an upper edge of the lower vertical surface portion.

12. The battery module according to claim 11, wherein a width of an upper edge of the lower vertical surface portion to which the flame-retardant coating is applied is 5 mm or less.

13. 1. A battery module for thermal runaway delay, comprising: a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked; a module case for accommodating the battery cell stack; an end plate disposed on one side of the module case; Including, a heat-resistant paint is applied to at least a portion of the end plate.

14. The battery module according to claim 13 , wherein the end plate includes a terminal opening.

15. The battery module for thermal runaway delay according to claim 14 , wherein the heat-resistant paint is applied around the terminal opening in the end plate.

16. further including a terminal bus bar; The battery module according to claim 15 , wherein one end of the terminal bus bar is exposed through the terminal opening.

17. The battery module according to claim 16 , further comprising a bus bar frame disposed on one side of the battery cell stack.

18. The battery module according to claim 17 , wherein the terminal bus bars are disposed on the bus bar frame.

19. The battery module according to claim 18 , further comprising an insulating cover disposed on an outer side of the bus bar frame.

20. The battery module according to claim 13 , wherein the heat-resistant paint is applied to a front surface of the end plate.

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