Battery pack and automobile including same

Abstract

The battery pack according to the present invention includes a plurality of battery modules arranged along the width direction or the length direction, a pack case accommodating the plurality of battery modules, a plurality of interbus bars electrically connecting two adjacent battery modules among the plurality of battery modules, and a shielding unit shielding the interbus bars from the internal space of the pack case, and the shielding unit may be arranged on the outer surface of the interbus bars, between any one interbus bar and another interbus bar, and between the internal space and the interbus bars.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack, and more particularly to a battery pack capable of preventing arcing or short circuits on the outer surface of an inter-busbar due to flames or high-temperature impurities when an internal fire occurs in a battery module.This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0112309, filed on August 25, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. [Background technology]

[0002] Semi-permanent batteries that convert electrical energy into chemical energy and can be repeatedly charged and discharged are called secondary batteries, in distinction from primary batteries, which cannot be reused once used.

[0003] In particular, lithium-ion secondary batteries have advantages such as high energy storage density, light weight and miniaturization, excellent safety, low discharge rate, and long lifespan, and have recently been actively used as batteries for electric vehicles.For reference, lithium-ion secondary batteries are generally classified into cylindrical, prismatic, and pouch types depending on the manufacturing form, and are used for a variety of purposes, including not only electric vehicle batteries but also energy storage system (ESS) batteries and other electrical devices.

[0004] Currently, the operating voltage of a single lithium-ion secondary battery cell is approximately 2.5 V to 4.5 V. Therefore, in order to use a secondary battery as an energy source for an electric vehicle, a battery module is constructed by connecting a plurality of lithium-ion secondary battery cells in series and / or in parallel, and a battery pack is constructed by connecting the battery modules in series and / or in parallel.

[0005] On the other hand, secondary batteries undergo chemical reactions during charging and discharging, so their performance may deteriorate if they are used in an environment where the temperature is higher than the appropriate temperature, and if the temperature is not thermally controlled to the appropriate level, there is a risk of unexpected fire or explosion. Furthermore, battery packs, which are an assembly of secondary batteries, are constructed so that these secondary batteries are packed as tightly as possible inside a pack case, making them vulnerable to thermal events.

[0006] Therefore, if a thermal event such as overheating or thermal runaway occurs in a specific battery module, flames or high-temperature impurities may be emitted into the pack case. Furthermore, since the inter-bus bars that electrically connect the battery modules are exposed to the internal space, arcing or short circuits may occur if flames or impurities come into contact with the inter-bus bars, which accelerates the accumulation of thermal energy, easily causing thermal propagation to adjacent battery modules or accelerating chain reaction thermal runaway of battery modules.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need for structural improvements that shield the inter-bus bars from the internal space of the pack case so that arcing or short-circuiting at the inter-bus bars can be prevented as much as possible when an internal fire occurs in the battery module. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack in which an interconnector connecting battery modules is completely shielded inside a pack case, thereby preventing arcing or short-circuiting on the outer surface of the interconnector when an internal fire occurs in a battery module, minimizing the accumulation of thermal energy, and delaying heat propagation to adjacent battery modules.

[0009] 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]

[0010] To solve the above problems, a battery pack according to the present invention includes a plurality of battery modules arranged along a width direction or a length direction, a pack case accommodating the plurality of battery modules, a plurality of interbusbars electrically connecting two adjacent battery modules among the plurality of battery modules, and a shielding unit shielding the interbusbars from an internal space of the pack case, and the shielding unit may be arranged on outer surfaces of the interbusbars, between any one interbusbar and another interbusbar, and between the internal space and the interbusbars.

[0011] The inter-bus bar connects two adjacent battery modules in the width direction among the plurality of battery modules, and the shielding unit may be arranged to extend in the width direction and disposed in the gap between two adjacent battery modules in the length direction.

[0012] The shielding unit prevents the inter-busbar from being exposed upward or to the sides, and can block flames or solid ejections generated in the internal space from coming into contact with the outer surface of the inter-busbar when a thermal event occurs.

[0013] The shielding unit may include a first shielding portion provided to correspond to the outer surface of the inter-bus bar, and a second shielding portion provided to partition and separate one of the inter-bus bars from another of the inter-bus bars adjacent to it in the length direction.

[0014] The first shielding portion may include a fireproof member that is provided facing the interbus bar and partially surrounds the interbus bar, and a housing case that houses the interbus bar.

[0015] The refractory member may be made of MICA tape or GLASS tape.

[0016] The housing may be made of a heat-resistant plastic material.

[0017] The receiving case may include a lower receiving casing that receives the inter-bus bar, and an upper receiving cover that is disposed on an upper portion of the lower receiving casing and coupled to the lower receiving casing.

[0018] The lower accommodating casing includes a side wall frame having a height corresponding to the thickness of the inter-bus bar, and a support plate provided at the lower part of the side wall frame, on which the inter-bus bar is placed and supported at the center, and openings may be formed on both sides of the support plate.

[0019] The side wall frame may have a coupling hook protruding upward to be coupled to the upper receiving cover, and the upper receiving cover may have a coupling groove formed therein to detachably couple the coupling hook.

[0020] The second shielding portion may include a cover portion attached to a portion of the outer surface of the battery module and covering the inter-bus bar, and a shielding member disposed facing the cover portion and disposed at the upper ends of the two battery modules adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction, shielding the gap.

[0021] The cover may be bent to cover a corner of one side of the battery module.

[0022] The cover portion includes a first cover member that covers the top surface of the inter-bus bar, and a second cover member that is arranged vertically from the first cover member and covers the side surface of the inter-bus bar, and the length and width of the first cover member are greater than the length and width of the inter-bus bar in the longitudinal direction, the length of the second cover member is the same as the length of the first cover member, and the width of the second cover member is greater than the thickness of the inter-bus bar.

[0023] The blocking member may be provided in a flat plate shape and disposed to connect upper surfaces of the two battery modules adjacent to each other in the length direction.

[0024] The length of the blocking member may be greater than the length of the cover portion.

[0025] The blocking member may be disposed to extend continuously in a width direction of the battery module.

[0026] The width of the blocking member may be greater than the sum of the width of the first cover member disposed on the two battery modules adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction and the gap between the two battery modules adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction.

[0027] The second shielding portion may be made of a mica material.

[0028] The first shielding portion and the cover portion can prevent the flame or solid ejection ejected from the front of any one of the battery modules from coming into contact with the interconnect bar of another of the battery modules arranged adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction.

[0029] The inter-busbar may have fastening holes formed on both sides thereof for coupling to the battery module, fastening bolts disposed in the fastening holes, and the housing case may shield the outer surfaces of the fastening bolts.

[0030] Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle including the above-described battery pack. [Effects of the Invention]

[0031] According to one aspect of the present invention, the shielding unit that shields the internal space of the pack case can completely shield the inter-busbars connecting the battery modules within the pack case, thereby preventing arcing or short circuits on the outer surface of the inter-busbars due to flames or high-temperature impurities ejected into the pack case due to a thermal event, reducing the accumulation of thermal energy and delaying heat propagation to adjacent battery modules.

[0032] In addition, by preventing chain fires between battery modules, the durability of the battery pack is increased and maintenance costs can be reduced.

[0033] In addition, the relatively simple shielding structure can prevent electrical short circuits and short-circuit phenomena between battery modules in advance when a fire occurs inside the pack, preventing explosive chain fires of battery modules. As a result, by regulating the thermal energy that explosively accumulates inside the battery pack, it is possible to prevent structural collapse of the battery pack in advance.

[0034] The effects of the present invention are not limited to those described above, and unmentioned effects 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.

[0035] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention, serve to further understand the technical concepts of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to only the matters described in the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0036] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the main components of the battery pack of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating a shielding unit in a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 3 is a diagram illustrating a first shielding portion of the shielding unit of FIG. 2; FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a shielding unit according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] 3 is an exploded perspective view of a first shielding portion of a shielding unit of a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 7] 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating a shielding unit in a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating a shielding unit in a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are perspective views schematically illustrating a process of assembling a shielding unit in a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are perspective views schematically illustrating a process of assembling a shielding unit in a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 11] 1 is a view schematically illustrating a state in which a shielding unit is coupled in a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 12] 1 is a view schematically illustrating a state in which a shielding unit is coupled in a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 13] 1 is a diagram for explaining an automobile according to an embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0037] 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 ordinary 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.

[0038] Therefore, it should be understood that the configurations shown in the embodiments described in this specification are merely the most desirable embodiments of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical idea of ​​the present invention, and that there may be various equivalents and modifications that can be substituted therefor at the time of this application.

[0039] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the main components of the battery pack of FIG.

[0040] 1 and 2, a battery pack 10 according to the present embodiment may include a plurality of battery modules 100 arranged along a width direction or a length direction, a pack case 200 that houses the plurality of battery modules 100, a plurality of inter-bus bars 300 (see FIG. 4, inter bus bar) that electrically connect two adjacent battery modules 100 among the plurality of battery modules 100, and a shielding unit 400 that shields the inter-bus bars 300 from the internal space of the pack case 200.

[0041] The battery module 100 may include a plurality of battery cells (not shown). The battery cell refers to a secondary battery including an electrode assembly, an electrolyte, and a pouch case that houses the electrode assembly. In this embodiment, a pouch-type battery cell that has high energy density and is easy to stack is targeted, but it goes without saying that a cylindrical or prismatic secondary battery can also be applied to the battery cell.

[0042] The pouch-type battery cell may include a pair of electrode leads (not shown) connected to the electrode assembly and extending to the outside of the pouch case to function as electrode terminals. The pair of electrode leads may extend to the front and rear along the length direction. Alternatively, they may extend to both ends of the battery cell, i.e., in the length direction (±X direction). If necessary, the electrode leads may be located only at one end in the X-axis direction, for example, the end in the −X-axis direction. Although not shown, electrical components such as bus bars, bus bar frames, and module connectors may be attached adjacent to the pair of electrode leads of such a battery cell.

[0043] The battery module 100 may also include a module case 110 for accommodating the battery cells. The module case 110 is configured to accommodate one or more battery cells, and may be made of a metal material or a plastic material such as ABS resin that has high rigidity and durability to physically and chemically protect the accommodated battery cells.

[0044] A terminal 120 of the battery module 100 may be provided on a side portion (both sides in the X-axis direction) located at the front or rear of the module case 110. The terminal 120 may be either a positive or negative electrode, and may be disposed on only one side portion of the battery module 100, or on both side portions in some cases. The inter-bus bar 300 may be connected to the terminal 120.

[0045] The pack case 200 may accommodate a plurality of the battery modules 100. To this end, the pack case 200 may form an accommodation space therein for accommodating the plurality of battery modules 100. Referring mainly to FIG. 2 , the battery modules 100 may be arranged in the accommodation space of the pack case 200 along a width direction (Y-axis direction) and a length direction (X-axis direction).

[0046] The pack case 200 may include a pack tray 210 that accommodates a plurality of the battery modules 100, and a pack cover 230 disposed on the pack tray 210. The upper end of the pack tray 210 is open and is interconnected with the pack cover 230. The pack tray 210 may be made of a material with excellent mechanical rigidity to protect the battery modules 100 from external impacts.

[0047] The pack tray 210 may include a tray body 211 and a plurality of partition walls 212. The tray body 211 refers to the bottom surface and outer frame of the pack tray 210, and the battery modules 100 may be placed on and supported by the bottom surface of the tray body 211. The plurality of partition walls 212 may be disposed within the outer frame of the tray body 211 and arranged at regular intervals along the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the pack tray 210. Thus, the partition walls 212 can separate the battery modules 100 arranged along the width direction (Y-axis direction).

[0048] The height (Z-axis direction) of the partition wall 212 may be relatively lower than the height of the battery modules 100. Also, the height may be lower than the height at which the terminals 120 of the battery modules 100 are located. Thus, when an inter-busbar 300 is disposed between one battery module 100 and another adjacent battery module 100, it may not interfere with the partition wall 212.

[0049] In this embodiment, six battery modules 100 are arranged along the width direction, and partition walls 212 separating the battery modules 100 are disposed between the battery modules 100, with five partition walls 212 disposed along the width direction. If these six battery modules 100 form a first array, a second array is arranged in parallel at a predetermined interval along the length direction of the battery modules 100, forming a 6x2 (width direction x length direction) array. Similarly, five partition walls 212 may be disposed on the second array. That is, as shown in the drawings, a given partition wall 212 may be disposed so as to be continuous along the length direction (Y-axis direction) of the pack case 200. Alternatively, the partition wall 212 may have a central cutout. The number of partition walls 212 inside the pack tray 210 and the number of battery modules 100 accommodated therein are not limited to those exemplified in this embodiment and may be configured differently.

[0050] The pack cover 230 is disposed on the top of the pack tray 210 to seal the internal space in which the battery modules 100 are accommodated. In this embodiment, the pack cover 230 may be provided to completely cover the plurality of battery modules 100. The pack cover 230 may be made of a material that ensures rigidity and has high conductivity, such as aluminum or SUS. Meanwhile, although not shown, various joining methods for sealing, such as joining processes such as bolting, welding, adhesive bonding, and hooking, may be used when the pack tray 210 and the pack cover 230 are joined to each other.

[0051] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a shielding unit in a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating a first shielding portion of the shielding unit of FIG.

[0052] 3 and 4, the interbus bar 300 electrically connects two adjacent battery modules 100 among the plurality of battery modules 100. The interbus bar 300 can connect two adjacent battery modules 100 in the width direction among the plurality of battery modules 100. To this end, both ends of the interbus bar 300 are respectively positioned at a terminal 120 of one of the battery modules 100 and a terminal 120 of another battery module 100 adjacent in the width direction, thereby electrically connecting the battery modules 100. The interbus bar 300 may be made of a copper material.

[0053] Fastening holes 310 (see FIG. 6 ) for coupling to the battery modules 100 are formed on both sides of the interbus bar 300, and fastening bolts 320 may be disposed in the fastening holes 310. The interbus bar 300 may be fastened to the terminals 120 of the battery modules 100 via the fastening bolts 320. Meanwhile, although only the connection between the battery modules 100 in the width direction by the interbus bar 300 is shown in the drawings, the interbus bar 300 may be disposed in the length direction of the battery modules 100 to electrically connect the battery modules 100 disposed in the length direction.

[0054] 2 again, the shielding unit 400 may shield the inter-busbar 300 from the internal space of the pack case 200. That is, the shielding unit 400 may cover the inter-busbar 300 and prevent the outer surface of the inter-busbar 300 from being exposed to the internal space of the pack case 200.

[0055] For this purpose, the shielding units 400 may be disposed on the outer surfaces of the interbus bars 300 , between any one of the interbus bars 300 and another interbus bar 300 , and between the inner space and the interbus bars 300 .

[0056] The shielding unit 400, which will be described in detail later, may include a first shielding portion 410 provided on the outer surface of the inter-busbar 300, and a second shielding portion 430 provided to partition and separate one of the inter-busbars 300 from another inter-busbar 300 adjacent to it in the length direction.

[0057] 4, the first shielding part 410 covers the outer surface of the interbusbar 300 and can shield the interbusbar 300 from the internal space of the pack case 200. The first shielding part 410 is attached to the outer surface of the interbusbar 300 and covers the outer surface of the interbusbar 300, and a case corresponding to the shape of the outer surface of the interbusbar 300 is provided, and the interbusbar 300 is housed in such a case, so that the interbusbar 300 can be separated from the internal space of the pack case 200.

[0058] The second shielding portion 430 may be provided to isolate one interbusbar 300 from another interbusbar 300. In particular, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the cover portion 431 of the second shielding portion 430 may be provided to partition and separate the interbusbar 300 of one battery module 100 from the interbusbar 300 of another battery module 100 adjacent thereto in the longitudinal direction.

[0059] In addition, the second shielding part 430 may shield the internal space from the inter-busbar 300 and shield the inter-busbar 300 from the internal space of the pack case 200. That is, the shielding members 436 of the second shielding part 430 may be disposed at the upper ends of the two battery modules 100 adjacent to each other in the length direction and may be provided to partition and separate the inter-busbar 300 from the internal space of the pack case 200. This may prevent a flame or the like that may move along the upper surface of the battery module 100 from entering the inter-busbar 300. Details of the shielding unit 400 will be described later.

[0060] As such, the shielding unit 400 prevents the interconnector 300 from being exposed upward or laterally from the internal space of the pack case 200, and can prevent flames or solid particles generated in the internal space from contacting the outer surface of the interconnector 300 when a thermal event occurs. As a result, the interconnector 300 connecting the battery modules 100 is completely shielded within the pack case 200, preventing arcing or short circuits, reducing the accumulation of thermal energy, and delaying heat propagation to adjacent battery modules 100. The interconnector 300, which may be made of copper, is completely shielded from exposure to flames or solid particles within the pack case 200. As a result, problems of arcing or short circuits occurring in the interconnector 300 and accelerating the rate of heat propagation to the outside of the battery pack can be fundamentally resolved.

[0061] The shielding unit 400 will be described in detail below.

[0062] FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of a shielding unit according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a first shielding portion in a shielding unit of a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 7 and 8 are diagrams for explaining the shielding unit in a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0063] Referring to FIGS. 5 to 8, the shielding unit 400 may include a first shielding portion 410 and a second shielding portion 430.

[0064] The first shielding portion 410 is provided to correspond to the outer surface of the inter-busbar 300 and can temporarily block the inter-busbar 300 from being exposed to the inner space of the pack case 200 .

[0065] Referring primarily to FIG. 6, the first shielding portion 410 may include a fireproof member 411 facing the inter-bus bar 300 and partially surrounding the inter-bus bar 300, and a housing case 420 that houses the inter-bus bar 300.

[0066] The fire-resistant member 411 may be provided to face the outer surface of the interbusbar 300. The fire-resistant member 411 may be provided to partially surround the outer surface of the interbusbar 300, and may be provided to surround the outer surface of the central portion of the interbusbar 300 except for the fastening holes 310 formed on both sides of the interbusbar 300. The fire-resistant member 411 used here may be provided as a tape made of mica or glass. The fire-resistant member 411 may directly cover the outer surface of the interbusbar 300 to shield the interbusbar 300. Furthermore, when a tape made of mica or glass is used instead of a simple insulating material, the fire-resistant member 411 increases the time and temperature that the interbusbar 300 can withstand high temperatures.

[0067] The receiving case 420 may receive the interbusbar 300. The receiving case 420 may completely receive the interbusbar 300 therein and shield it from the internal space of the pack case 200. The receiving case 420 may include a lower receiving casing 421 that receives the interbusbar 300, and an upper receiving cover 426 that is disposed on the upper part of the lower receiving casing 421 and coupled to the lower receiving casing 421.

[0068] The lower accommodating casing 421 may include a sidewall frame 422 having a height corresponding to the thickness of the interbusbar 300, and a support plate 424 disposed at a lower portion of the sidewall frame 422 and having the interbusbar 300 mounted and supported at the center thereof. The sidewall frame 422 may have coupling hooks 423 protruding upward to be coupled to the upper accommodating cover 426. The interbusbar 300 may be mounted and supported on an upper surface of the support plate 424. Openings 425 may be formed on both sides of the support plate 424. The terminals 120 of the battery module 100 may be disposed in the openings 425.

[0069] The upper receiving cover 426 is open at the bottom and is installed to completely cover the lower receiving casing 421, and the upper receiving cover 426 may have a coupling groove 427 to which the coupling hook 423 is detachably coupled.

[0070] The accommodating case 420 configured as described above can completely accommodate the interbusbar 300 therein and completely shield the interbusbar 300 from the internal space of the pack case 200. However, both ends of the interbusbar 300 are disposed on the opening surfaces 425 of the support plates 424, which can provide coupling portions between the interbusbar 300 and the terminals 120. In this case, the fastening bolts 320 are also disposed within the accommodating case 420 and can be shielded from the internal space of the pack case 200. In particular, the accommodating case 420 can cover the entire area of ​​the interbusbar 300 and shield the outer surfaces of the fastening bolts 320.

[0071] In this way, it is possible to completely shield the outer surface of the inter-busbar 300 while minimizing exposure at the connection portion between the inter-busbar 300 and the battery module 100. Meanwhile, the material of the accommodating case 420 may be made of a heat-resistant plastic material, but other materials may also be used as long as they ensure heat resistance and insulation.

[0072] The first shielding portion 410 configured as above can primarily shield the outer surface of the inter-busbar 300 from the internal space of the pack case 200. Since there is no exposed portion of the inter-busbar 300 to the outside, arcing or short circuit can be more reliably prevented.

[0073] 5 again, the second shielding portion 430 may be provided to partition and separate one of the interbusbars 300 from another interbusbar 300 adjacent to it in the longitudinal direction. To this end, the second shielding portion 430 may include a cover portion 431 attached to a portion of the outer surface of the battery module 100 and covering the interbusbar 300, and a blocking member 436 disposed to face the cover portion 431 and disposed at the upper ends of the two battery modules 100 adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction, blocking the gap.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 5 and with reference to FIGS. 3 and 7, the cover unit 431 may be attached to the outer surface of the battery module 100, particularly to one corner of the battery module 100. The cover unit 431 may be bent to cover one corner of the battery module 100. For example, the cover unit 431 may have an L-shaped cross section. Such a cover unit 431 can be easily placed on the battery module 100 and can easily cover the upper and side surfaces of the interbusbar 300. The cover unit 431 may include a first cover member 432 that covers the upper surface of the interbusbar 300, and a second cover member 433 that is disposed perpendicular to the first cover member 432 and covers the side surfaces of the interbusbar 300.

[0075] 8, the first cover member 432 may be attached to an upper surface of the battery module 100 and may be spaced a predetermined distance from the inter-busbar 300. The first cover member 432 may cover an upper side of the inter-busbar 300. The length and width of the first cover member 432 may be greater than the length and width of the inter-busbar 300 in the longitudinal direction, thereby improving shielding efficiency.

[0076] The second cover member 433 may be bent vertically from the first cover member 432 and attached to a side surface (or a front portion) of the battery module 100. The length of the second cover member 433 may be the same as the length of the first cover member 432, and the width of the second cover member 433 may be greater than the thickness of the interconnect bar 300.

[0077] Meanwhile, the blocking member 436 may be provided in a flat plate shape and disposed to connect the upper surfaces of the two battery modules 100 adjacent to each other in the lengthwise direction. The size of the blocking member 436 may be relatively larger than the size of the cover part 431, and more specifically, the length of the blocking member 436 may be larger than the length of the cover part 431. In this embodiment, the blocking member 436 may be disposed to extend continuously in the width direction of the battery module 100, as shown in FIG. 5 .

[0078] As a modified example, the blocking member may not extend continuously but may be provided in a divided and connected configuration. In this case, a plurality of divided blocking members may be provided along the width direction of the battery module 100. An incision line may be formed between the plurality of blocking members.

[0079] In addition, the width of the blocking member 436 may be greater than the sum of the width of the first cover member 432 disposed on the two battery modules 100 adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction and the gap between the two battery modules 100 adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction.

[0080] As a result, the second shielding part 430 including the cover part 431 and the blocking member 436 can form a secondary shielding structure that shields the inter-busbar 300 from the internal space. The second shielding part 430 configured as described above can be made of a mica material. In this embodiment, a rigid mica material is used, which can be a material that has relatively excellent mechanical properties such as warping and sagging characteristics of a plate-like structure. Here, the rigid mica material can be a soft or flexible MICA material, or a material with relatively high rigidity as a tape.

[0081] According to this embodiment, even if a flame or high-temperature impurities are ejected inside the pack case 200 due to a thermal event, the interconnector bars 300 connecting the battery modules 100 are completely shielded inside the pack case 200, thereby preventing arcing or short circuits and reducing the accumulation of thermal energy. In addition, heat propagation to adjacent battery modules 100 can be delayed and prevented, thereby suppressing thermal propagation (TP).

[0082] In addition, since chain fires between the battery modules 100 are prevented, the durability of the battery pack 10 is increased and maintenance costs can be reduced. Furthermore, the simpler shielding structure prevents explosive chain fires between the battery modules 100 due to an electrical short circuit, thereby preventing structural collapse of the battery pack 10.

[0083] 9 and 10 are perspective views schematically illustrating a process of assembling a shielding unit in a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0084] Hereinafter, the process of assembling the shielding unit 400 in the battery pack 10 according to this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 6, 8 to 10. FIG.

[0085] 6, a fire-resistant member 411 is attached to the inter-bus bar 300. A tape made of a mica material or a glass material is attached to the outer surface of the inter-bus bar 300.

[0086] Next, before connecting the interbusbars 300 between the battery modules 100, the accommodating case 420 is placed at the connection position of the interbusbars 300. The lower accommodating casing 421 is placed on both terminals 120 of the pair of battery modules 100, and after the interbusbars 300 are installed on the support plates 424, the battery modules 100 and the interbusbars 300 are connected to the fastening holes 310 via fastening bolts 320. Then, with the interbusbars 300 accommodated in the lower accommodating casing 421, the upper accommodating cover 426 is coupled to assemble the accommodating case 420. Through this process, the first shielding part 410 can be provided. The first shielding part 410 not only covers the entire outer surface of the interbusbar 300 but also covers the fastening parts including the terminals 120 of the battery modules 100 and the fastening bolts 320.

[0087] 3 may be attached to the corners of the battery module 100 as shown in FIG. 9. That is, a first cover member 432 is attached to the upper surface of the battery module 100, and a second cover member 433 is attached to the front of the battery module 100. The length and width of the first cover member 432 and the length and width of the second cover member 433 may be greater than the length or thickness of the interconnect bar 300 as shown in FIG. 8, thereby improving shielding efficiency.

[0088] 10, a blocking member 436 is disposed on the upper ends of the two battery modules 100 adjacent to each other in the lengthwise direction. The blocking member 436 is provided in a flat plate shape and is disposed to connect the upper surfaces of the two battery modules 100 adjacent to each other in the lengthwise direction. The blocking member 436 is also disposed to extend continuously in the widthwise direction of the battery module 100.

[0089] The shielding process will be explained below.

[0090] 11 and 12 are diagrams illustrating a state in which a shielding unit is coupled to a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0091] Referring to Figures 11, 12, and the previous Figures 6 to 8, when a thermal event occurs in one battery module 100 (see the battery module 100 on the right in Figure 11), flames or various ejections may be emitted along the front and top surfaces of the battery module 100 (see the central area between the battery modules 100 in Figure 11).

[0092] At this time, the outer surface of the inter-busbar 300 is primarily shielded by the first shielding portion 410. That is, the fire-resistant member 411 (see FIG. 6) attached to the outer surface of the inter-busbar 300 blocks contact with the flame or the discharged material. Also, the receiving case 420 completely blocks the outer surface of the inter-busbar 300 from being exposed, thereby blocking contact with the flame or the discharged material.

[0093] If a flame or a discharged substance is discharged along the upper surface of the battery module 100 (by being bent by the pack cover 230) (see the upper part of the battery module 100 in FIG. 11 and the arrow in FIG. 12), the blocking member 436 of the second shielding part 430 prevents the flame or the discharged substance from entering the gaps between the battery modules 100. In addition, the first cover member 432 of the cover part 431 forms a double shielding layer, thereby minimizing the penetration of the flame or the discharged substance.

[0094] Flames or ejected solid matter may be ejected in front of the battery modules 100 (see the arrow on the front side of the battery module 100 in FIG. 11). In this case, the second cover member 433 on the side of the triggered battery module 100 (the battery module 100 on the right side in FIG. 11) can prevent the ejection of flames or ejected solid matter. Looking at the inter-busbar 300 of the left battery module 100 as a reference, the first shielding part 410 primarily blocks it, while the second cover member 433 shields the inter-busbar 300 from the flames or ejected solid matter. In this way, the first shielding part 410 and the cover member 431 prevent the flames or ejected solid matter ejected from the front of one of the battery modules 100 from contacting the inter-busbar 300 of the other battery module 100 arranged adjacent to it in the lengthwise direction.

[0095] According to this embodiment, the interconnector bars 300 connecting the battery modules 100 can be completely shielded inside the pack case 200, thereby preventing arcing or short circuits on the outer surface of the interconnector bars 300 caused by flames or high-temperature impurities ejected into the pack case 200 due to a thermal event, reducing the accumulation of thermal energy and delaying heat propagation to adjacent battery modules 100.

[0096] In addition, since chain fires between the battery modules 100 are prevented, the durability of the battery pack 10 is increased and maintenance costs can be reduced. Furthermore, the simpler shielding structure can prevent explosive chain fires between the battery modules 100 due to an electrical short circuit, and prevent structural collapse of the battery pack 10 in advance.

[0097] Meanwhile, the battery pack 10 according to the present invention may further include various devices for controlling the charging and discharging of the battery module 100, such as a BMS (Battery Management System), a current sensor, a fuse, etc., although not shown.

[0098] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an automobile according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0099] 13, the battery pack 10 according to the present invention can be applied to a vehicle V such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. That is, the vehicle V according to the present invention can include the battery pack 10 according to the present invention. The battery pack 10 is installed in the body frame under the seats of the vehicle or in the trunk space, and when installing the battery pack 10 in the vehicle, the arrangement order of the battery packs 10 can be reversed as necessary.

[0100] According to the various embodiments described above, it is possible to provide a vehicle V including a battery pack 10 that can prevent arcing or short circuits that may occur when flames or high-temperature impurities discharged into the pack case 200 due to a thermal event come into contact with the interconnector bar 300, reduce the accumulation of thermal energy, and delay heat propagation to adjacent battery modules 100.

[0101] In this specification, terms indicating directions such as up, down, left, right, front, and rear are used, but it will be clear 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 of interest, the position of the observer, etc.

[0102] 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. [Explanation of symbols]

[0103] 10: Battery pack 100: Battery module 120: Terminal 200: Pack case 210: Pack tray 211: Tray body 212: Bulkhead 230: Pack cover 300: Interbus bar 310: Concluding hole 320: Fastening bolt 400: Shielding unit 410: 1st shielding part 411: Fire-resistant materials 420: Storage Case 421: Lower casing 422: Side wall frame 423: Binding hook 424: Support plate 425: Opening surface 426: Upper storage cover 427: Binding groove 430:Second shielding part 431: Cover part 432: First cover member 433: Second cover member 436: Blocking member

Claims

1. A plurality of battery modules arranged along the width direction or the length direction; a pack case that houses a plurality of the battery modules; a plurality of interbus bars electrically connecting two adjacent battery modules among the plurality of battery modules; a shielding unit that shields the inter-bus bar from the internal space of the pack case, The shielding units are arranged on the outer surfaces of the interbus bars, between any one of the interbus bars and another of the interbus bars, and between the internal space and the interbus bars.

2. the inter-bus bar connects two battery modules adjacent to each other in the width direction among the plurality of battery modules; The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the shielding unit is disposed to extend in the width direction and is disposed in a gap between two battery modules adjacent to each other in the length direction.

3. 3. The battery pack according to claim 2, wherein the shielding unit prevents upward or lateral exposure of the interconnector bar and blocks flames or solid ejections generated in the internal space from contacting the outer surface of the interconnector bar when a thermal event occurs.

4. The shielding unit comprises: a first shielding portion provided to correspond to an outer surface of the inter-bus bar; 4. The battery pack according to claim 3, further comprising: a second shielding portion provided to partition and separate any one of the interbus bars from another interbus bar adjacent to the interbus bar in the length direction.

5. The first shielding portion is a refractory member provided facing the interbus bar and partially surrounding the interbus bar; The battery pack according to claim 4 , further comprising: a housing case that houses the inter-bus bar.

6. The battery pack according to claim 5 , wherein the fire-resistant member is made of mica tape or glass tape.

7. The battery pack according to claim 5 , wherein the housing case is made of a heat-resistant plastic material.

8. The storage case is a lower accommodating casing for accommodating the inter-bus bar; The battery pack according to claim 5 , further comprising: an upper accommodating cover disposed on an upper portion of the lower accommodating casing and coupled to the lower accommodating casing.

9. The lower casing includes: a sidewall frame having a height of the thickness of the interbus bar; a support plate provided at a lower portion of the side wall frame, the support plate having the inter-bus bar mounted and supported at its center; The battery pack according to claim 8 , wherein openings are formed on both sides of the support plate.

10. The side wall frame is provided with a connecting hook protruding upward to be connected to the upper receiving cover, The battery pack according to claim 9 , wherein the upper receiving cover has a coupling groove to which the coupling hook is detachably coupled.

11. The second shielding portion is a cover portion attached to a part of an outer surface of the battery module and covering the interbus bar; a blocking member disposed to face the cover portion, the blocking member being disposed at upper ends of the two battery modules adjacent to each other in the length direction, and blocking the gap.

12. The battery pack according to claim 11 , wherein the cover portion is bent to cover a corner of one side of the battery module.

13. The cover portion is a first cover member that covers an upper surface of the interbus bar; a second cover member disposed perpendicular to the first cover member and covering a side surface of the inter-bus bar; The length and width of the first cover member are greater than the length and width of the inter-bus bar in the longitudinal direction, The battery pack of claim 12 , wherein the length of the second cover member is the same as the length of the first cover member, and the width of the second cover member is greater than the thickness of the interconnect bar.

14. The battery pack according to claim 13 , wherein the blocking member has a flat plate shape and is arranged to connect upper surfaces of the two battery modules adjacent to each other in the length direction.

15. The battery pack according to claim 11 , wherein the length of the blocking member is greater than the length of the cover portion.

16. The battery pack according to claim 11 , wherein the blocking member is disposed to extend continuously in a width direction of the battery module.

17. 14. The battery pack of claim 13, wherein a width of the blocking member is greater than a sum of a width of the first cover member disposed on the two battery modules adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction and a width of the gap between the two battery modules adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction.

18. The battery pack according to claim 4 , wherein the second shielding portion is made of a mica material.

19. 12. The battery pack of claim 11, wherein the first shielding portion and the cover portion prevent the flame or solid ejection ejected from the front of any one of the battery modules from contacting an interconnect bar of another of the battery modules arranged adjacent to each other in the length direction.

20. The inter-bus bar has fastening holes formed on both sides thereof for coupling with the battery module, A fastening bolt is disposed in the fastening hole, The battery pack according to claim 9 , wherein the housing case shields an outer surface of the fastening bolt.

21. 21. A motor vehicle comprising a battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 20.

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