Battery module, battery pack including the battery module, and automobile

Abstract

One embodiment of the present invention relates to a battery module including: a plurality of battery cells; a modular case having an open top and configured to accommodate the plurality of battery cells; and a top plate coupled to the open top of the modular case, the top plate having a plurality of vent passages configured to allow vent gas generated in the battery cells to flow and be separated.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery module, a battery pack including the battery module, and an automobile. Specifically, the present invention relates to a battery module capable of suppressing heat propagation within the battery module, a battery pack including the battery module, and an automobile.

[0002] This application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0161281, filed on November 20, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety in the specification and drawings thereof. [Background technology]

[0003] Secondary batteries, which have high applicability across product groups and electrical properties such as high energy density, are widely used not only in portable devices but also in electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), etc. These secondary batteries are attracting attention as a new energy source for improving energy efficiency, as they are environmentally friendly in that they do not produce any by-products from energy use, in addition to their primary advantage of dramatically reducing the use of fossil fuels.

[0004] Currently, secondary batteries such as lithium-ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, and nickel-zinc batteries are widely used. When a high output voltage is required, a battery module or a battery pack is formed by connecting multiple battery cells in series. To increase the charge / discharge capacity, a battery module or a battery pack may also be formed by connecting multiple battery cells in parallel. Therefore, the number of battery cells included in the battery module or pack may be variously set according to the required output voltage or charge / discharge capacity.

[0005] However, because battery cells undergo chemical reactions during charging and discharging, their performance may deteriorate if they are used in environments that are higher than the appropriate temperature. Failure to control heat at the appropriate temperature could result in unexpected fires or explosions. Furthermore, battery modules house these battery cells in a concentrated manner inside a module housing. Therefore, if a thermal event occurs in one battery cell, the emitted high-temperature gases and flames may spread to adjacent battery cells, potentially causing a chain reaction of battery cell explosions, creating a significant risk.

[0006] Therefore, it is necessary to develop a structure that can reliably separate and separate battery cells, and can suppress or delay heat propagation so that even if a thermal event occurs in some battery cells within a battery module, gas, flames, etc. can be prevented from spreading to other battery cells within the battery module and causing thermal runaway. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a battery module that can reliably partition and separate battery cells and effectively prevent or delay the propagation of thermal runaway between battery cells.

[0008] Another problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a battery pack and a vehicle including such a battery module.

[0009] However, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned object, and other objects and advantages not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to solve the above problems, a battery module according to one aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of battery cells, a module case having an open top and configured to accommodate the plurality of battery cells, and a top plate coupled to the open top of the module case, the top plate having a plurality of vent passages configured to allow vent gas generated in the battery cells to flow and be separated.

[0011] The top plate may include a partition configured to divide the vent channel into a plurality of sections.

[0012] The partition may be configured to guide the vent gas out of the top plate.

[0013] The top plate may have at least one vent hole formed therein, configured to allow the vent gas to be discharged from the accommodation space to the vent passage.

[0014] The vent holes may be arranged in a plurality of rows, and the partition walls may be provided between the vent holes and spaced apart from each other in the horizontal direction.

[0015] The top plate may include a lower plate configured to receive the partition wall and having the vent hole formed therein, and an upper plate spaced upward from the lower plate and configured to cover the vent hole.

[0016] The top plate may include a vent hole configured to communicate the vent channel with an exterior of the top plate.

[0017] The discharge hole may be provided in at least one of both longitudinal ends of the top plate.

[0018] The battery cell may be a pouch-type battery cell including an electrode lead on at least one side in a longitudinal direction, the partition wall may be configured to extend along the longitudinal direction of the battery cell, the partition wall, a lower plate, and an upper plate may be connected to form a plurality of vent channels, and the plurality of vent channels may be isolated from each other such that both ends in the longitudinal direction of the battery cell are open.

[0019] The partition wall, the lower plate, and the upper plate may be integrally formed by extrusion molding.

[0020] The battery pack may further include a blocking member disposed between the battery cells and configured to contact the top plate.

[0021] An upper end of the blocking member may be configured to be inserted into the top plate.

[0022] Another aspect of the present invention provides a battery pack including a battery module according to an aspect of the present invention.

[0023] The battery pack may include a pack case having an open top configured to accommodate the battery modules, the pack case including a plurality of frames provided at the front and rear of the battery modules, and a pack cover coupled to the open top of the pack case, and may be configured such that vent gas discharged to the outside from the vent passage is discharged to the outside of the pack case through a space between the frames or the battery modules and the pack cover.

[0024] Yet another aspect of the present invention provides a vehicle including a battery module according to an aspect of the present invention. [Effects of the Invention]

[0025] According to one aspect of the present invention, by reliably partitioning and isolating battery cells in a battery module, even if a thermal event occurs in some battery cells in the battery module, it is possible to effectively prevent or delay the propagation of gas, flame, or the like to other battery cells in the battery module and causing thermal runaway, thereby ensuring the safety and reliability of the battery module.

[0026] According to another aspect of the present invention, high-temperature gas, flames, and the like generated in the battery cells in the battery module can be smoothly discharged to the outside of the battery module.

[0027] Furthermore, according to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent high-temperature gas, flames, etc., discharged to the outside of the battery module from flowing back into the battery module.

[0028] Furthermore, according to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent or delay events caused by thermal runaway phenomena, such as fires and explosions, in a battery pack including multiple battery modules or in a device to which the battery pack is attached.

[0029] The present invention can also provide various other effects, which will be described in the respective embodiments, but the description of effects that can be easily inferred by those skilled in the art will be omitted.

[0030] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention, are intended to facilitate a further understanding of the technical concepts of the present invention; therefore, the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to the matters described in the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0031] [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] 1 is a perspective view showing a cross section of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 5] 1 is a perspective view showing a cross section of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] 1 is a top perspective view of a top plate included in a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1 is a bottom perspective view of a top plate included in a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of a battery module according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of a top plate included in a battery module according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a battery pack including a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention, specifically, a view illustrating a direction in which gas and the like are discharged to the outside of the battery pack when the battery module experiences thermal runaway. [Figure 12] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a vehicle including a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Prior to this, the terms and phrases used in the specification and claims should not be construed as being limited to their general and dictionary meanings, but should be construed as having meanings and concepts corresponding to the technical ideas of the present invention, in accordance with the principle that the inventors themselves can appropriately define the concepts of terms in order to best describe the invention.

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

[0034] The present invention also includes various embodiments, and in each embodiment, overlapping descriptions of substantially identical or similar configurations will be omitted, and differences will be mainly described.

[0035] Meanwhile, although terms indicating directions such as up, down, left, right, front, and rear are used in this specification, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that these terms are used for the convenience of explanation and may change depending on the position of the object of interest, the position of the observer, etc.

[0036] For example, in an embodiment of the present invention, the illustrated X-axis direction may refer to the left-right direction, the Y-axis direction may refer to the front-rear direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction on a horizontal plane (XY plane), i.e., the longitudinal direction of the battery cell, and the Z-axis direction may refer to the up-down direction (vertical direction) perpendicular to both the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, i.e., the height direction of the battery cell.

[0037] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a cross section of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] 2, the battery may include a plurality of battery cells 100. Although not shown, the plurality of battery cells 100 may include an electrode assembly, a cell case that houses the electrode assembly, and electrode leads that are connected to the electrode assembly and extend to the outside of the cell case to function as electrode terminals. In this case, the plurality of battery cells 100 may be electrically connected to each other.

[0039] The battery cell 100 may be a pouch-type secondary battery. The cell case of such a pouch-type secondary battery may be configured in a pouch shape with a metal layer including an aluminum material sandwiched between polymer layers.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of battery cells 100 may be arranged side by side in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) while standing upright in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction).

[0041] Meanwhile, the present invention is not limited by the specific type or shape of the battery cell 100, and various battery cells 100 known at the time of filing of the present invention may be adopted in the configuration of the battery pack 20 of the present invention. In the present embodiment, as shown in the drawing, a pouch-type secondary battery that has high energy density and is easy to stack is targeted, but it goes without saying that a cylindrical secondary battery or a prismatic secondary battery may also be used as the battery cell 100.

[0042] 2, the module case 200 may be configured to accommodate a plurality of battery cells 100. Specifically, an accommodation space S may be formed in the module case 200, and the plurality of battery cells 100 may be accommodated in the accommodation space S.

[0043] Specifically, the module case 200 may be formed of a U-shaped frame configured to have an open top. When the module case 200 is formed of a U-shaped frame, it may be provided to cover both side surfaces and a bottom surface of the battery cell stack. The module case 200 may include a left plate and a right plate covering both side surfaces of the battery cell stack, and a bottom plate covering the bottom surface. The left plate, the right plate, and the bottom plate may be formed integrally with each other. In this case, the top surface and the front and rear surfaces of the module case 200 may be open.

[0044] Such a module case 200 may be made of a metal material that is rigid and heat-resistant in order to physically and chemically protect the housed battery cells 100 .

[0045] Meanwhile, the battery module 10 may include end plates 400 provided on the open front and rear surfaces of the module case 200. The end plates 400 may be joined to the module case 200 by welding.

[0046] Although not shown, the battery module 10 may also include a bus bar assembly and / or a module terminal electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells 100 housed therein.

[0047] The battery module 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a top plate 300. The top plate 300 may be coupled to an open top of the module case 200. As such, the top plate 300 may form an upper surface of the module case 200. The top plate 300 may be coupled to the module case 200 by welding. In this case, the coupled form of the top plate 300 and the module case 200 may be a rectangular tubular body with open front and rear surfaces.

[0048] The top plate 300 may be made of a material that has excellent heat and / or fire resistance. For example, the top plate 300 may be made of a fire-resistant plastic material.

[0049] A vent flow path P may be formed in the top plate 300. The vent flow path P may be configured to allow vent gas generated in the battery cells 100 to flow. The vent flow path P may be configured to communicate the accommodation space S with the outside of the battery module 10. That is, as indicated by the thick arrow in FIG. 3 , if a thermal event occurs in a certain battery cell 100, vent gas, flame, etc. may be discharged to the vent flow path P, and the vent gas, flame, etc. in the vent flow path P may be discharged to the outside of the battery module 10.

[0050] A plurality of vent flow paths P may be provided. Such a plurality of vent flow paths P may be configured to be separated from one another. This allows vent gas to flow through each vent flow path P, and makes it possible to prevent vent gas flowing through one vent flow path P from moving to another adjacent vent flow path P.

[0051] According to this embodiment, since the multiple vent flow paths P are separated from each other, when a thermal event occurs in a battery cell 100, the propagation of vent gas, flames, etc. to adjacent battery cells 100 is prevented, thereby effectively preventing or delaying the propagation of thermal runaway between battery cells 100.

[0052] Furthermore, since each vent passage P is provided independently, it is possible to prevent high-temperature gas or flames discharged to the outside of the accommodating space S from flowing back into the accommodating space S. This ensures the safety and reliability of the battery module 10.

[0053] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since vent gas and the like are smoothly discharged to the vent flow path P, heat accumulation inside the battery module 10 can be prevented or suppressed.

[0054] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a cross section of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] More specifically, the top plate 300 may include a partition 310 configured to divide the vent flow path P into a plurality of sections. The partition 310 may be provided inside the vent flow path P formed in the top plate 300. In this regard, referring to FIG. 4 , a plurality of partitions 310 may be provided spaced apart from each other along one direction. Here, the one direction may be defined as the direction in which the battery cells 100 are stacked, i.e., the left-right direction (X-axis direction).

[0056] According to the present embodiment, the vent flow paths P are separated from one another by the partition walls 310, thereby making it possible to block the movement of vent gas to adjacent vent flow paths P. This prevents the movement of vent gas and the like to adjacent battery cells 100, thereby effectively preventing or delaying the propagation of thermal runaway between the battery cells 100.

[0057] The partition wall 310 may be configured to guide the vent gas to the outside of the top plate 300. Referring to Fig. 5, the partition wall 310 may be configured to extend along the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the battery cell 100. The length of the partition wall 310 may correspond to the length of the top plate 300.

[0058] 4 and 5, a vent hole H may be formed in the top plate 300. The vent hole H may be configured to discharge vent gas generated in the battery cell 100 from the accommodation space S to the vent flow path P. The vent hole H may be provided in the top plate 300 to enable directional venting in a specific direction.

[0059] Specifically, as shown by the arrows in Fig. 4, vent gas generated in the battery cell 100 may flow from the accommodation space S through the vent hole H into the vent passage P. The vent gas may be discharged to the outside of the battery module 10 in both directions through the vent passage P as shown by the arrows in Fig. 5.

[0060] According to this embodiment, the vent gas and the like discharged from the vent hole H moves directly to the vent flow path P formed in the top plate 300, so that the vent gas and the like can be discharged to the outside of the battery module 10 more quickly.

[0061] A plurality of vent holes H may be provided. The vent holes H may be provided at regular intervals from one another in the horizontal direction (X-axis and Y-axis directions). The vent holes H may be arranged in a plurality of rows. For example, as shown in FIG. 5 , the vent holes H may be arranged in a row along the longitudinal direction of the battery cell 100, and the plurality of vent holes H arranged in a row may be arranged in a plurality of rows along the stacking direction of the battery cells 100.

[0062] According to this embodiment, regardless of where a thermal event occurs in the battery cell 100, vent gas and flames can be smoothly discharged to the outside of the battery module 10 through a specific vent hole H provided on the upper side of the battery cell 100.

[0063] The thickness of the partition walls 310 in the width direction may be configured to correspond to the intervals between the vent holes H. In this case, the partition walls 310 may be provided between the vent holes H and spaced apart from each other in the horizontal direction. The partition walls 310 may be arranged along the stacking direction of the battery cells 100. The partition walls 310 may be configured to block vent gas and the like from moving in the stacking direction of the battery cells 100.

[0064] According to the present embodiment, the partition walls 310 are provided between the vent holes H, thereby preventing vent gas and the like inside the vent flow passage P from flowing back into the module case 200 through the vent holes H of the adjacent vent flow passage P. This reduces the possibility that vent gas, heat, and the like will be transferred to other battery cells 100 even if a thermal event occurs in any battery cell 100. In other words, according to the present embodiment, the propagation of thermal runaway between the battery cells 100 can be effectively prevented or delayed.

[0065] FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of a top plate included in a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of a top plate included in a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0066] 6 and 7, the top plate 300 may include a lower plate 320 and an upper plate 330 in addition to the partition wall 310. The lower plate 320 may be configured to receive the partition wall 310. The lower plate 320 may form the lower surface of the top plate 300. A vent hole H may be formed in the lower plate 320.

[0067] The upper plate 330 may be provided spaced apart above the lower plate 320. The upper plate 330 may be configured to cover the vent hole H. The upper plate 330 may form the upper surface of the top plate 300. The upper plate 330 may have a flat plate shape. The upper plate 330 may be configured to prevent the vent gas discharged from the vent hole H from moving upward.

[0068] In this case, the vent flow path P may be defined as a space formed by the lower plate 320, the upper plate 330, and the partition wall 310. According to the present embodiment, vent gas and the like in the vent flow path P can flow only within one vent flow path P without moving toward other adjacent battery cells 100. This makes it possible to restrict the movement of vent gas and the like between vent flow paths P that are adjacent to each other in the left-right direction (X-axis direction) across one partition wall 310.

[0069] In addition, according to this embodiment, vent gases and the like discharged into the vent flow path P through the vent hole H can be prevented from flowing back into the storage space S of the battery cell 100 through the vent hole H provided in another vent flow path P.

[0070] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the partition wall 310, the lower plate 320, and the upper plate 330 may form a plurality of vent passages P that are isolated from each other and open at both ends of the battery cell 100 in the longitudinal direction.

[0071] Specifically, the top plate 300 may include exhaust holes 340. The exhaust holes 340 may be configured to connect the vent flow paths P with the outside of the top plate 300. That is, vent gas and the like in the vent flow paths P may be exhausted to the outside of the top plate 300 through the exhaust holes 340.

[0072] The discharge holes 340 may be provided at at least one of both longitudinal ends of the top plate 300. The discharge holes 340 may be configured to be open at both longitudinal ends of the vent channel P. The discharge holes 340 may be provided at different positions depending on the direction in which vent gas is discharged from the vent channel P. As in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the discharge holes 340 may be provided at both longitudinal ends of the top plate 300 to discharge vent gas from the vent channel P in both directions. In this case, the partition wall 310 may guide the vent gas to flow toward the discharge holes 340 provided at both ends of the vent channel P.

[0073] According to this embodiment, vent gas and the like can be discharged in a single targeted direction, for example, in the direction of the discharge hole 340. That is, since the surrounding area except for the vent hole H is closed around the discharge hole 340, directional venting of the vent gas toward the discharge hole 340 can be more effectively guided. As a result, according to this embodiment, the vent gas can be quickly guided from inside the vent flow path P to the discharge hole 340 and discharged to the outside.

[0074] Meanwhile, the open end of the partition wall 310 may be formed in a diagonal shape. The partition wall 310 may be configured to include a portion where its longitudinal length shortens upward. That is, the end of the partition wall 310 may be configured to form an acute angle with the lower plate 320. Accordingly, the discharge hole 340 may also be configured to form an acute angle with the lower plate 320. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the length of the upper plate 330 may be shorter than the length of the lower plate 320, corresponding to the diagonal shape of the end of the partition wall 310.

[0075] According to this embodiment, the cross-sectional area of ​​the exhaust hole 340 is larger than when both ends of the partition wall 310 are aligned in a straight line. This allows a larger amount of vent gas to be discharged through the exhaust hole 340, so that the vent gas can be more smoothly discharged to the outside of the battery module 10.

[0076] Alternatively, although not shown, the upper plate 330 may be provided to protrude outward from the partition wall 310. In this case, the protruding upper plate 330 can block the upward movement of the vent gas discharged through the discharge hole 340. This can further induce directional venting of the vent gas.

[0077] Furthermore, the partition wall 310, the lower plate 320, and the upper plate 330 may be integrally formed by extrusion molding. That is, the top plate 300 may be extruded, and the partition wall 310, the lower plate 320, and the upper plate 330 may be integrally formed. By extruding the top plate 300, the partition wall 310 may be linearly extended along the extrusion direction (the longitudinal direction of the top plate 300). By extruding the top plate 300, a discharge hole 340 may be formed at the end of the top plate 300.

[0078] According to this embodiment, the partition wall 310 is integrally formed with the lower plate 320 and the upper plate 330, thereby eliminating the process of combining various components and minimizing defects at the bonding portions between the partition wall 310 and the lower plate 320 and the upper plate 330.

[0079] FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of a battery module according to yet another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of a top plate included in a battery module according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

[0080] 2, 4, 8, etc., a battery module 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include an isolation member 500. The isolation member 500 may be provided between battery cells 100 and configured to separate the spaces between the plurality of battery cells 100. In particular, at least one isolation member 500 may be included in one battery module 10. A plurality of isolation members 500 may be provided along one direction in which the battery cells 100 are arranged.

[0081] The blocking member 500 may be disposed for at least one battery cell 100. For example, as shown in Fig. 4, in a battery module 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, a blocking member 500 may be disposed for every two battery cells 100, and a plurality of vent holes H may be formed in a row along the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the battery cells 100 on the upper surface of the battery cells 100 provided between adjacent blocking members 500.

[0082] The isolating member 500 may be made of a heat insulating pad having a thickness thinner than that of the battery cell 100. The isolating member 500 may be made of a material with excellent heat resistance and / or fire resistance. Alternatively, the isolating member 500 may be in the form of a compressive pad, for example, made of a material such as silicone or aerogel.

[0083] According to the present embodiment, the battery cells 100 are partitioned or separated, thereby preventing gas, flame, etc. from transferring from the blocking member 500 to another adjacent blocking member 500. Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the blocking member 500 compresses the battery cell 100 when a swelling phenomenon occurs in the battery cell 100, thereby contributing to the structural rigidity of the battery cell 100.

[0084] 8 and 9, the blocking member 500 may be provided so as to contact the top plate 300. Specifically, the upper end of the blocking member 500 may be configured to contact the lower plate 320 of the top plate 300. Also, the partition walls 310 may be provided on the upper portions of the blocking members 500 so as to correspond to the number of the blocking members 500. Thus, the blocking members 500 may be provided below the partition walls 310 provided between the vent holes H.

[0085] As a result, gases and flames emitted from the battery cells 100 housed between adjacent blocking members 500 are discharged to the outside of the module case 200 only through the vent holes H located between the adjacent blocking members 500.

[0086] According to the present embodiment, the gap between the blocking member 500 and the top plate 300 is minimized, thereby reducing the flow space of the vent gas and preventing the propagation of thermal runaway to other adjacent battery cells 100. This ensures the safety and reliability of the battery module 10.

[0087] In particular, referring to FIG. 9, the upper end of the blocking member 500 may be configured to be inserted into the top plate 300 .

[0088] In this case, the blocking member 500 may be installed to extend further in the vertical direction than the battery cell 100. That is, the vertical height of the blocking member 500 may be longer than the vertical height of the battery cell 100. As a result, both sides of the battery cell 100 are blocked by the blocking member 500, and movement of vent gas and the like inside the module case 200 can be blocked.

[0089] 9 and 10, an insertion groove 350 may be formed in the top plate 300. The insertion groove 350 may be configured to receive the upper end of the blocking member 500. The insertion groove 350 may be provided in the form of a groove formed by recessing at least a portion of the lower plate 320. In this case, when the top plate 300 is coupled to the module case 200, the upper end of the blocking member 500 may be tightly fitted into the insertion groove 350 without any gaps.

[0090] Furthermore, the insertion groove 350 may be provided to extend in a straight line along the longitudinal direction of the blocking member 500. The insertion groove 350 may be provided to extend in a straight line along the extrusion direction (the Y-axis direction in FIG. 10 ) when the top plate 300 is compressed. In this case, the length of the insertion groove 350 may be configured to correspond to the length of the blocking member 500.

[0091] According to this embodiment, the upper end of the blocking member 500 is inserted into the insertion groove 350 of the top plate 300, so that the battery cells 100 can be more reliably separated and separated from each other.

[0092] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, since the blocking member 500 is fixed to the top plate 300, it is possible to suppress bending deformation of the blocking member 500. Even if a thermal event occurs, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the resulting high-temperature, high-pressure vent gas or flame will press against the blocking member 500 and move toward other battery cells 100. As a result, when thermal runaway occurs in the battery module 10, it is possible to effectively prevent or delay the propagation of thermal runaway between the battery cells 100.

[0093] In addition, the insertion groove 350 is located inside the battery module 10 and does not increase the height of the battery module 10 or change the outer shape of the battery module 10. Therefore, the energy density of the battery module 10 is not affected.

[0094] 11 is a schematic perspective view of a battery pack including a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention, specifically, a view illustrating a direction in which gas and the like are discharged to the outside of the battery pack when a thermal runaway occurs in the battery module.

[0095] 11, a battery pack 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes one or more battery modules 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention as described above. The battery pack 1 according to the present invention may further include a battery management system (BMS) for integrally controlling the charging and discharging of the one or more battery modules 10, a current sensor, a fuse, etc., and a pack case 2 for accommodating the above-mentioned components.

[0096] The plurality of battery modules 10 may be arranged adjacent to each other in a plurality of rows along the front-rear direction and / or the left-right direction inside the pack case 2. For example, as shown in Fig. 11, the plurality of battery modules 10 may be arranged in four rows along the left-right direction (X-axis direction) and two rows along the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction).

[0097] The pack case 2 has an open top and can be configured to house the battery module 10. The pack case 2 can be made of or include a material that can ensure mechanical rigidity, such as a metal such as steel or SUS (Steel Use Stainless), or a plastic.

[0098] The pack case 2 may include a plurality of frames. At least some of the plurality of frames may be provided on both sides of the battery module 10. The frames may include side frames 21, a center beam 22, and a cross beam 23.

[0099] The side frames 21 may extend upward from each side of the base frame that forms the bottom surface of the pack case 2. The side frames 21 may form the side surfaces of the pack case 2. The side frames 21 may include a plurality of unit wall bodies and may be arranged to surround a plurality of battery modules 10.

[0100] The center beam 22 and the cross beams 23 may be provided to separate the plurality of battery modules 10. For example, the center beam 22 may be formed in the form of a partition extending in the stacking direction (X-axis direction) of the battery modules 10 and may be interposed between the battery modules 10 arranged adjacently in the front-rear direction. The cross beam 23 may be formed in the form of a partition extending in the front-rear direction and may be interposed between the battery modules 10 arranged adjacently in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the battery modules 10.

[0101] According to this embodiment, the storage spaces are separated by the center beam 22 and the cross beams 23, so that heat and flames can be prevented from being directed directly at each other between the battery modules 10.

[0102] The pack case 2 may also include an exhaust unit 24. The exhaust unit 24 may be configured to exhaust vent gas generated in the battery module 10 to the outside of the pack case 2. The exhaust unit 24 may be provided in the form of a hole that penetrates the inside and outside of the pack case 2. Alternatively, the exhaust unit 24 may be in the form of a vent device that is configured to be attachable to a hole in the pack case 2 and that is activated when exhaust is generated inside the pack case 2.

[0103] The discharge portion 24 may be provided on a side surface of the pack case 2, i.e., on the side frame 21. A plurality of discharge portions 24 may be provided. The discharge portion 24 may be located in at least some of the unit wall bodies among the plurality of unit wall bodies of the side frame 21. Furthermore, the discharge portion 24 may be formed in each of two or more unit wall bodies, or two or more discharge portions 24 may be formed in one unit wall body.

[0104] According to this embodiment, when an abnormal situation occurs in the battery cell 100, the vent gas can be discharged to the outside of the pack case 2 more quickly and easily.

[0105] Meanwhile, the number and positions of the discharge units 24 described based on the embodiment of FIG. 11 are merely examples, and it goes without saying that they can be changed to various numbers and positions.

[0106] The pack cover 3 may be configured to cover the top of the plurality of battery modules 10. The pack cover 3 may be configured to cover the open top of the pack case 2. The pack cover 3 may be coupled to the side frames 21. In addition, the pack cover 3 and the center beam 22 may be configured to be spaced apart by a predetermined distance.

[0107] The pack cover 3 protects the components housed inside the pack case 2, such as the battery module 10, and can prevent waste materials discharged from the battery module 10 from being discharged outside the pack case 2, particularly to the top.

[0108] 11 , the present invention may be configured so that vent gas discharged from the vent flow path P to the outside of the battery module 10 is discharged to the outside of the pack case 2. The vent gas may be configured to be discharged to the outside of the pack case 2 through the frame, for example, the space between the center beam 22 and the pack cover 3 and / or the space between the battery module 10 and the pack cover 3. In this case, the space between the battery module 10 and the pack cover 3 may refer to the space between the discharge hole 340 and the pack cover 3.

[0109] As a result, when a thermal event occurs in the storage space S of the battery module 10, vent gas and the like flows into the vent flow path P through the vent hole H and is discharged to the outside of the battery module 10 through the discharge hole 340. In addition, the vent gas and the like moves to the discharge part 24 of the pack case 2 through the vent flow path provided in the internal space of the pack case 2 and is discharged to the outside of the pack case 2.

[0110] In this case, other parts of the battery module 10 excluding the exhaust hole 340, for example, the upper plate 330, may be configured to be in complete contact with the pack cover 3. As a result, vent gases and the like discharged to the outside of the battery module 10 are concentrated in the vent flow path of the pack case 2 without spreading in all directions inside the pack case 2, and are guided to move straight toward the exhaust part 24. According to the present embodiment, since the vent gases and the like are prevented from flowing into other battery modules 10 and causing heat diffusion, heat transmission between battery modules 10 can be effectively prevented or delayed. As a result, the safety and reliability of each battery pack can be ensured.

[0111] FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view of a vehicle including a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0112] 12, an automobile V according to an embodiment of the present invention may include one or more battery packs 1 or battery modules 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The automobile V according to the present invention may be, for example, an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, or a plug-in hybrid vehicle. The automobile V includes four-wheeled vehicles and two-wheeled vehicles. The automobile V operates by receiving power from the battery pack 1 or battery module 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0113] As described above, the present invention has been described using limited embodiments and drawings, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and it goes without saying that various changes and modifications 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.

Claims

1. a plurality of battery cells; a module case having an open top and configured to accommodate a plurality of the battery cells; a top plate coupled to the open top of the module case, the top plate having a plurality of vent passages configured to allow vent gas generated in the battery cells to flow and be separated.

2. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the top plate includes a partition configured to divide the vent channel into a plurality of sections.

3. The battery module according to claim 2 , wherein the partition wall is configured to guide the vent gas to an outside of the top plate.

4. The battery module according to claim 2 , wherein the top plate is formed with at least one vent hole configured to allow the vent gas to be discharged from the accommodation space to the vent channel side.

5. The vent holes are arranged along a plurality of rows; The battery module according to claim 4 , wherein the partition walls are provided between the vent holes and spaced apart from each other in the horizontal direction.

6. The top plate is a lower plate configured to receive the partition wall and having the vent hole formed therein; The battery module according to claim 4 , further comprising: an upper plate spaced upwardly from the lower plate and configured to cover the vent hole.

7. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the top plate includes a vent hole configured to communicate the vent channel with an exterior of the top plate.

8. The battery module according to claim 7 , wherein the discharge hole is provided in at least one of both longitudinal end portions of the top plate.

9. the battery cell is a pouch-type battery cell including an electrode lead on at least one side in a longitudinal direction, the partition wall is configured to extend along a longitudinal direction of the battery cell; 7. The battery module of claim 6, wherein the partition wall, the lower plate, and the upper plate are connected to form a plurality of vent channels, and the plurality of vent channels are isolated from each other such that both ends of the battery cell in a longitudinal direction are open.

10. The battery module according to claim 6 , wherein the partition wall, the lower plate, and the upper plate are integrally formed by extrusion molding.

11. The battery module according to claim 1 , further comprising: a blocking member provided between the battery cells and configured to contact the top plate.

12. The battery module according to claim 11 , wherein an upper end of the blocking member is configured to be inserted into the top plate.

13. A battery pack comprising the battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. a pack case having an open top configured to accommodate the battery module and including a plurality of frames provided at the front and rear of the battery module; a pack cover coupled to the open top surface of the pack case, 14. The battery pack according to claim 13, wherein the vent gas discharged to the outside from the vent passage is discharged to the outside of the pack case through a space between the frame or the battery module and the pack cover.

15. A motor vehicle comprising a battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

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