Battery pack and automobile including the battery pack

Abstract

One embodiment of the present invention relates to a battery pack including: a plurality of battery cells; a main body frame configured to accommodate the plurality of battery cells and having an open end formed on at least one side; and a pack case including a cover frame provided at the open end of the main body frame to be positioned on a side where vent gas is discharged from the plurality of battery cells, the cover frame having a cooling flow path formed in an internal space through which a cooling medium flows.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack, and more particularly to a battery pack with enhanced safety and a vehicle or the like including the battery pack.

[0002] This application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0000306, filed on January 2, 2024, 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 to each product group and electrical properties such as high energy density, are commonly 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, not only because they have the primary advantage of dramatically reducing the use of fossil fuels, but also because they are environmentally friendly as they do not produce any by-products from energy use.

[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. In addition, to increase the charge / discharge capacity, a battery module or a battery pack is sometimes formed by connecting multiple battery cells in parallel.

[0005] When a battery pack is constructed by connecting a plurality of battery cells in series / parallel, a common method is to first construct a battery module including at least one battery cell, and then add other components to the at least one battery module to construct a battery pack or a battery rack. Alternatively, in recent years, cell-to-pack battery packs have also been manufactured in which a plurality of battery cells are directly housed in a pack housing without being modularized.

[0006] However, when multiple battery modules are included in a battery pack, the battery pack is vulnerable to thermal chain reactions between the battery modules. For example, if an event such as thermal runaway occurs in one battery module, the thermal runaway may propagate to other battery modules. If the propagation of thermal runaway between battery modules cannot be properly suppressed, an event occurring in a specific battery module may trigger a chain reaction among many battery modules, potentially resulting in serious problems such as explosions or fires.

[0007] In particular, if an event such as thermal runaway occurs in one battery module, vent gas and the like are discharged to the outside of the battery module. If the heat from the discharged vent gas and the like cannot be sufficiently cooled, the heat may be transferred to other battery modules, causing a thermal chain reaction in the other battery modules.

[0008] Therefore, in conventional battery packs, a cooling system is constructed by providing a flame-retardant material on the bottom of the battery pack or between the battery modules to minimize the accumulation of thermal energy in adjacent battery modules. However, while such conventional battery packs can cool the bottom of the battery modules, they are insufficient to cool the vent gases that are emitted when an event such as thermal runaway occurs in a battery module.

[0009] Therefore, there is a need to develop a structure that can improve the cooling performance of battery packs by more efficiently cooling the heat from vent gases and other discharged gases when an event such as thermal runaway occurs in the battery pack. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack and a vehicle including the battery pack, which have an improved structure to appropriately manage heat and vent gases emitted from a battery module and have improved cooling performance.

[0011] However, the problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following explanation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] In order to solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention provides a battery pack including: a plurality of battery cells; a main body frame configured to accommodate the plurality of battery cells and having an open end formed on at least one side; and a pack case including a cover frame that is provided at the open end of the main body frame to be positioned on a side where vent gas is discharged from the plurality of battery cells, and that has a cooling flow path formed in an internal space through which a cooling medium flows.

[0013] A vent passage may be formed in the interior space of the cover frame, the vent passage being disposed on at least one side of the cooling passage and configured to allow the vent gas to flow.

[0014] The cooling passage and the vent passage may be arranged in parallel in a direction from the outside to the inside of the cover frame.

[0015] The cooling passage may be provided outside the vent passage.

[0016] The battery pack may further include a module case configured to accommodate a plurality of the battery cells in groups, and having a vent hole formed on at least one surface thereof, the vent hole being configured to allow the vent gas to be discharged to the outside.

[0017] The cover frame may include a gas inlet configured to face the vent hole.

[0018] The cover frame may be located on an upper portion of the module case, and the vent hole may be formed on an upper surface of the module case and configured to communicate with the gas inlet.

[0019] The gas supply device may further include a cover member configured to cover the gas inlet and to be opened by heat or pressure.

[0020] The cover frame may include a partition wall provided between the vent passage and the cooling passage.

[0021] The septum may be configured to be at least partially openable by vent gas within the vent passage.

[0022] The cover frame may further include a guide member configured to protrude from a surface of the partition wall toward the vent passage.

[0023] The cooling passage may be configured to partially protrude into the vent passage.

[0024] The cooling passages and the vent passages may be arranged along a horizontal direction.

[0025] Another aspect of the present invention provides a vehicle including a battery pack according to an aspect of the present invention. [Effects of the Invention]

[0026] According to one aspect of the present invention, efficient cooling performance and safe venting performance of the battery pack can be ensured.

[0027] Furthermore, according to one aspect of the present invention, even if an event such as thermal runaway occurs in a specific battery module, the propagation of heat to other battery modules can be effectively suppressed by cooling the vent gas generated in the battery module.

[0028] This prevents or suppresses the propagation of thermal runaway between battery modules, ensuring the safety and reliability of the battery pack.

[0029] Furthermore, according to one aspect of the present invention, events due to thermal runaway phenomena in a device to which a battery pack is attached, such as fires and explosions, can be prevented or delayed.

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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]

[0032] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall perspective view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] [Figure 2] 1 is an exploded perspective view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] [Figure 3]1 is a cross-sectional view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a battery pack according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of a cover frame included in a battery pack according to yet another embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a gas inlet;

[0038] [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a battery pack according to yet another embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a gas outlet.

[0039] [Figure 8] 10 is a cross-sectional view showing an example in which a cover member is applied to a battery pack according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention, illustrating an example in which at least a portion of a partition is open.

[0041] [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention, illustrating an example in which a guide member is provided on a partition wall.

[0042] [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a battery pack according to yet another embodiment of the present invention, illustrating an example of a cooling channel configured to have at least a portion protruding.

[0043] [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a battery pack according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] [Figure 13] 10 is a top view of a battery pack according to yet another embodiment of the present invention; FIG.

[0045] [Figure 14] 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

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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-back direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction on a horizontal plane (XY plane), 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.

[0051] Fig. 1 is an overall perspective view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] 1 to 3, a battery pack 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a battery cell 100 and a pack case 200.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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.

[0055] 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).

[0056] 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 1 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 applied as the battery cell 100.

[0057] The pack case 200 may be configured to house a plurality of battery cells 100. The pack case 200 may be box-shaped and include a plurality of frames. To safely protect the battery cells 100 housed therein, the pack case 200 may be made of or include a material capable of ensuring mechanical rigidity, such as a metal such as steel or SUS (Steel Use Stainless), or a plastic.

[0058] Specifically, the pack case 200 may include a main body frame 210 and a cover frame 220 .

[0059] The body frame 210 may be configured to accommodate a plurality of battery cells 100. The body frame 210 may be configured to mount the plurality of battery cells 100. The body frame 210 may be configured to surround the sides of the plurality of battery cells 100. The body frame 210 may be configured to have an open end formed on at least one side.

[0060] The cover frame 220 may be provided at an open end of the main body frame 210. The cover frame 220 may be coupled to the main body frame 210. For example, as in the illustrated embodiment, the main body frame 210 may have an open end at its top, and the cover frame 220 may be provided at such an open top to cover the tops of the plurality of battery cells 100.

[0061] The cover frame 220 may be located on a side where vent gas is discharged from the plurality of battery cells 100. Specifically, the cover frame 220 is provided spaced apart from the plurality of battery cells 100 by a predetermined distance, and vent gas generated in the battery cells 100 can flow through a space formed between the cover frame 220 and the battery cells 100. For example, as in the illustrated embodiment, the vent gas may be discharged through the top of the battery cells 100, and the cover frame 220 may be provided on the top of such battery cells 100.

[0062] A cooling channel CP may be formed in the cover frame 220. The cooling channel CP may refer to a passage configured to allow a cooling medium such as cooling water to flow. The cooling channel CP may be formed in the interior space of the cover frame 220. That is, an empty space is formed inside the cover frame 220 through which a cooling medium such as cooling water can flow, and the space may be defined as the cooling channel CP.

[0063] According to this embodiment, the cooling flow path CP of the cover frame 220 is formed on the side where the vent gas is discharged from the battery cell 100, thereby directly cooling fluids such as high-temperature vent gas and flames. That is, according to this embodiment, the heat of the vent gas and the like discharged from the battery cell 100 when a thermal event occurs can be more efficiently controlled. This ensures the cooling performance of the battery pack 1.

[0064] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to minimize heat propagation to other adjacent battery cells 100. As a result, it is possible to prevent or suppress the propagation of thermal runaway within the battery pack 1, and ensure the safety and reliability of the battery pack 1.

[0065] 2, a plurality of battery cells 100 may be modularized into one or more battery modules 10. That is, a battery pack 1 according to the present invention includes a plurality of battery modules 10, and the plurality of battery cells 100 included in the battery pack 1 may be divided and included in the plurality of battery modules 10. In this case, the battery cells 100 included in the battery module 10 may be electrically connected to each other.

[0066] In particular, the battery pack 1 according to the present invention may include a module case 11. The module case 11 may have an empty space formed therein and may be configured to accommodate at least some of the plurality of battery cells 100 in the internal space. That is, the module case 11 may group the plurality of battery cells 100 into several battery modules 10 and serve as a boundary that physically defines the internal space of each battery module 10.

[0067] 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.

[0068] The battery module 10 may include a vent hole 12. The vent hole 12 may be configured to exhaust gas generated in the battery cells 100 housed inside the module case 11 to the outside of the module case 11.

[0069] Specifically, the vent holes 12 may be provided in the module case 11 to enable directional venting in a specific direction. The vent holes 12 may be provided on at least one surface of the module case 11. Meanwhile, the number and positions of the vent holes 12 described based on the embodiment of FIG. 2 are merely examples, and it goes without saying that the number and positions may be changed in various ways.

[0070] Meanwhile, referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the main body frame 210 may include a base frame 211 and a plurality of side frames 212.

[0071] The base frame 211 may be configured to mount a plurality of battery cells 100 or battery modules 10. The base frame 211 forms the bottom surface of the pack case 200 and may be a rectangular plate. The base frame 211 may have a flat upper surface so that the battery cells 100 can be stably mounted thereon.

[0072] A cooling channel CP may be formed in the internal space of the base frame 211. That is, a hollow is formed inside the base frame 211, and a cooling medium may flow through the hollow.

[0073] According to the present embodiment, the bottom surface of the battery cell 100 or the battery module 10 can be cooled, thereby minimizing the accumulation of thermal energy in the battery cell 100. In particular, heat generation in the battery cell 100 due to charge / discharge cycles in the normal state of the battery pack 1 can be minimized, thereby ensuring the cooling performance of the battery pack 1.

[0074] The multiple side frames 212 may extend upward from each side of the base frame 211. The multiple side frames 212 may be provided to surround the multiple battery cells 100 or battery modules 10. More specifically, each of the multiple side frames 212 may form a side surface of the pack case 200, including a right wall located at the end of the base frame 211 in the +X direction, a rear wall located at the end of the +Y direction, a left wall located at the end of the -X direction, and a front wall located at the end of the -Y direction.

[0075] 2, the pack case 200 may include a vent device 213. The vent device 213 may be configured to discharge gas generated in the battery cells 100 to the outside of the pack case 200. That is, vent gas discharged from the vent holes 12 may be discharged to the outside of the pack case 200 through the vent device 213.

[0076] The vent device 213 may be configured to be opened by the pressure of the vent gas to discharge the vent gas to the outside of the pack case 200 when vent gas is generated inside the pack case 200 and the internal pressure increases.

[0077] For example, the vent device 213 may be configured to open and close depending on the internal pressure of the pack case 200. Alternatively, the vent device 213 may be configured in the form of a hole. Meanwhile, the present invention is not limited to a specific type or form of the vent device 213, and various vent devices 213 known at the time of filing of the present invention may be adopted in the configuration of the battery pack 1 of the present invention.

[0078] Specifically, the vent device 213 may be provided on a side surface of the main body frame 210, i.e., on the side frame 212. A plurality of vent devices 213 may be provided. The vent device 213 may be provided on at least one of the plurality of side frames 212. The vent device 213 may be formed on each of two or more side frames 212, or two or more vent devices 213 may be formed on one side frame 212.

[0079] Meanwhile, the number and positions of the vent devices 213 described based on the embodiment of FIG. 2 are merely examples, and it goes without saying that the number and positions can be changed to various other numbers and positions.

[0080] The pack case 200 may also include a cross beam 214. The cross beam 214 may be configured to partition the internal space of the pack case 200. That is, the cross beam 214 may be configured to partition a plurality of battery cells 100 or a plurality of battery modules 10. The cross beam 214 may be configured to extend along the left-right direction and / or the front-rear direction of the pack case 200. A plurality of such cross beams 214 may be provided.

[0081] Meanwhile, the battery pack 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include an inlet port I configured to allow a cooling medium to flow from the outside into a cooling passage CP inside the battery pack 1, and an outlet port O configured to discharge the cooling medium from the cooling passage CP inside the battery pack 1 to the outside. The inlet port I and the outlet port O may be provided on the base frame 211.

[0082] In this case, the inlet port I and the outlet port O may be provided not only in the base frame 211 but also in the cover frame 220. This allows the cooling medium to flow from the outside of the battery pack 1 into the cooling flow path CP inside the base frame 211 and the cover frame 220.

[0083] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a battery pack according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

[0084] 4 and 5, the cover frame 220 may be configured to have a vent passage VP formed in its internal space. That is, an empty space through which vent gas or the like can flow is formed inside the cover frame 220, and this space may be defined as the vent passage VP. As a result, the vent gas generated in the battery cells 100 may be configured to flow into the vent passage VP formed in the internal space of the pack case 200.

[0085] That is, the cover frame 220 may be configured to have the vent passage VP and the cooling passage CP formed therein. In this case, the vent passage VP may be provided on at least one side of the cooling passage CP. In particular, the vent passage VP and the cooling passage CP may be configured to contact each other. This allows vent gas, etc., inside the vent passage VP to come into contact with the cooling passage CP.

[0086] According to the present embodiment, the vent flow path VP is provided inside the cover frame 220, so that the vent gas can be more smoothly discharged in the direction in which the vent gas is discharged from the battery cells 100. This makes it possible to more efficiently suppress or prevent heat transfer to other adjacent battery modules 10.

[0087] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the vent passage VP and the cooling passage CP are both provided inside the cover frame 220, so that when thermal runaway occurs in the battery cell 100, the heat of the vent gas, flame, etc. inside the vent passage VP is quickly cooled by the cooling medium in the cooling passage CP. That is, according to the present embodiment, the vent gas, etc. can be cooled by the cooling medium at the same time as the vent gas, etc. flows into the cover frame 220. This makes it possible to more efficiently control the heat of the discharged vent gas, etc., and ensure the cooling performance of the battery pack 1.

[0088] In particular, the vent channels VP and the cooling channels CP may be arranged in a direction from the outside to the inside of the cover frame 220. That is, the vent channels VP and the cooling channels CP may be arranged along a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the vent gas and / or the cooling medium flows inside. For example, as in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the vent gas and / or the cooling medium may flow horizontally, and the vent channels VP and the cooling channels CP may be arranged to be stacked along the height direction of the battery pack 1.

[0089] The cooling channels CP may be arranged alongside the vent channels VP. That is, the cooling channels CP may be arranged parallel to the vent channels VP. For example, as in the embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 5, the vent channels VP and the cooling channels CP may extend along the horizontal direction and be arranged from the outside to the inside of the cover frame 220.

[0090] Preferably, the description will be given based on the case where the cover frame 220 is provided on the top of the battery cell 100 as in the illustrated embodiment, but the position of the cover frame 220 may be changed.

[0091] According to the present embodiment, the cooling channels CP and the vent channels VP are arranged in a direction from the outside to the inside of the cover frame 220, thereby maximizing the area in which the vent channels VP contact the cooling channels CP. That is, according to the present embodiment, the cooling medium in the cooling channels CP may be configured to contact the entire area of ​​the vent channels VP. As a result, according to the present embodiment, when thermal runaway occurs in the battery cell 100, the heat of the vent gas, flame, etc. inside the vent channels VP can be more quickly cooled by the cooling medium.

[0092] More specifically, the cover frame 220 may have a multi-plate structure. The cover frame 220 may include a first cover 220a, a second cover 220b, and a partition wall W. The first cover 220a may be disposed to face the battery cells 100 or the battery modules 10. The first cover 220a may be configured to form the innermost surface of the cover frame 220.

[0093] The second cover 220b may be configured to be disposed outside the first cover 220a and to be separated from the first cover 220a by a predetermined distance. The second cover 220b is the surface that forms the outermost surface of the cover frame 220 and may be configured to form the outer surface of the battery pack 1.

[0094] The first cover 220a and the second cover 220b may be aligned with each other. As in the illustrated embodiment, the first cover 220a and the second cover 220b may be arranged along the height direction of the cover frame 220. A vent passage VP and a cooling passage CP may be formed between the first cover 220a and the second cover 220b.

[0095] The partition wall W may be provided between the first cover 220a and the second cover 220b. The partition wall W may be configured to separate the vent passage VP and the cooling passage CP. That is, the partition wall W may be provided between the vent passage VP and the cooling passage CP.

[0096] The partition wall W may extend horizontally. That is, the vent passages VP and the cooling passages CP may extend horizontally, and the partition wall W may also extend in the direction in which the vent passages VP and the cooling passages CP extend. This allows vent gas and the like to come into contact with the surface of the partition wall W that forms the cooling passages CP and be cooled.

[0097] 4 and 5, the partition wall W may be provided parallel to the first cover 220a and the second cover 220b. That is, the first cover 220a, the partition wall W, and the second cover 220b may be arranged along the height direction of the cover frame 220. For example, when the battery pack 1 is viewed from the side, the first cover 220a, the partition wall W, and the second cover 220b may be arranged in this order from the bottom.

[0098] As an example, the cooling channels CP may be provided inside the vent channels VP. For example, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the vent channels VP may be provided on the outer side of the partition wall W, and the cooling channels CP may be provided on the inner side. That is, the vent channels VP may be formed between the second cover 220b and the partition wall W, and the cooling channels CP may be formed between the first cover 220a and the partition wall W. In this case, the cooling channels CP may be provided to face the battery cells 100.

[0099] As a result, as shown by the dotted arrows in FIG. 4, vent gas generated in the battery cell 100 may be configured to be discharged from the vent hole 12, pass through the gas inlet 221, penetrate the cooling passage CP, and flow into the vent passage VP located relatively outside.

[0100] According to this embodiment, the cooling flow path CP is provided to face the battery cell 100 or the battery module 10, so that the battery cell 100 can be cooled even in a normal state where no thermal event occurs.

[0101] As another example, the cooling channels CP may be provided outside the vent channels VP. In this case, the first cover 220a, the partition wall W, and the second cover 220b may also extend horizontally and be configured to be arranged parallel to one another from the outside to the inside of the cover frame 220. For example, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the cooling channels CP may be provided on the outside and the vent channels VP on the inside of the partition wall W. That is, the cooling channels CP may be formed between the second cover 220b and the partition wall W, and the vent channels VP may be formed between the first cover 220a and the partition wall W. In this case, the vent channels VP may be provided to face the battery cells 100.

[0102] As a result, as indicated by the dotted arrows in FIG. 5, vent gas generated in the battery cell 100 can be discharged through the vent hole 12 and then immediately flow into the vent flow path VP inside the cover frame 220.

[0103] According to this embodiment, the vent passage VP is arranged between the battery cell 100 and the cooling passage CP, so that vent gases, flames, etc. generated in the battery cell 100 can quickly move to the vent passage VP and be cooled by the cooling medium in the cooling passage CP.

[0104] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, vent gases, flames, and the like generated in the battery cells 100 can directly flow into the vent passages VP, eliminating the need for a structure that penetrates the cooling passages CP. This simplifies the structure and manufacturing process of the battery pack 1.

[0105] Furthermore, since high-temperature vent gas has a strong tendency to rise, it also tends to move upward in the vent flow path VP inside the cover frame 220. In this case, according to this embodiment, by providing the cooling flow path CP above the vent flow path VP, the vent gas heading toward the partition wall W can be cooled.

[0106] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the heat of the vent gas and the like is not exposed to the outside of the battery pack 1, so that the temperature outside the battery pack 1 can be prevented from rising.

[0107] Fig. 6 is a bottom perspective view of a cover frame included in a battery pack according to yet another embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a gas inlet, and Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a battery pack according to yet another embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a gas outlet.

[0108] 4 to 6 , the cover frame 220 may be provided with a gas inlet 221. The gas inlet 221 may be configured to allow vent gas to flow into the vent flow path VP. That is, the gas inlet 221 may be provided to communicate the vent flow path VP with the battery cell 100.

[0109] In this case, the gas inlet 221 may be formed in the first cover 220a. Alternatively, when the cooling passage CP is provided inside the vent passage VP as in the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, the gas inlet 221 may be provided in the form of a hole formed in the first cover 220a and the partition wall W.

[0110] A plurality of gas inlets 221 may be provided. In particular, the gas inlets 221 may be configured to face the vent holes 12. For example, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 16 , the plurality of gas inlets 221 may be provided at positions and / or with sizes and / or numbers corresponding to the vent holes 12.

[0111] As a result, vent gas and the like can be guided to move directly toward the vent flow path VP when a thermal event occurs in the battery module 10. According to the present embodiment, vent gas and the like discharged from the vent hole 12 facing the vent flow path VP can move directly to the vent flow path VP formed in the pack case 200, so that the vent gas and the like can be discharged to the outside more quickly and smoothly.

[0112] Meanwhile, as in the illustrated embodiment, the cover frame 220 may be located on top of the battery cell 100, and the vent hole 12 may be formed on the upper surface of the module case 11. The vent hole 12 may be configured to communicate with the gas inlet 221.

[0113] According to this embodiment, the vent passage VP is formed in the upper part of the battery cell 100, so that fluids such as high-temperature vent gas and flames, which have a strong tendency to flow upward, can quickly flow into the vent passage VP.

[0114] 4, 5, and 7, when the vent flow path VP is formed inside the cover frame 220, the cover frame 220 may be provided with a gas outlet 222. The gas outlet 222 may be configured to connect the vent flow path VP inside the cover frame 220 with the outside of the cover frame 220. In such a case, the vent device 213 may not be formed.

[0115] The gas outlet 222 may be provided at an end of the vent passage VP inside the cover frame 220. In this case, the gas outlet 222 may be provided in the form of a hole, but the present invention is not limited to the specific type or form of the gas outlet 222. For example, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, when the vent passage VP is formed between the partition wall W and the first cover 220a, the gas outlet 222 may be formed between the partition wall W and the first cover 220a.

[0116] Meanwhile, a plurality of gas outlets 222 may be provided. The gas outlet 222 may be provided on at least one of the side surfaces of the cover frame 220. The gas outlet 222 may be provided on each of two or more surfaces, or two or more gas outlets may be provided on one surface. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the plurality of gas outlets 222 may be provided on two each of both side surfaces of the cover frame 220.

[0117] Meanwhile, the number, positions, sizes, etc. of the gas exhaust ports 222 described based on the embodiment of FIG. 7 are merely examples, and it goes without saying that the number, positions, etc. can be changed to various other numbers.

[0118] As a result, as shown by the dotted arrows in Figures 4 and 5, vent gases and the like that flow into the vent flow path VP inside the cover frame 220 through the gas inlet 221 can be discharged to the outside of the cover frame 220 through the gas outlet 222.

[0119] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing an example in which a cover member is applied to a battery pack according to still another embodiment.

[0120] The battery pack 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a cover member 300. Referring to Fig. 8, the cover member 300 may be configured to cover the gas inlet 221. A plurality of cover members 300 may be provided, and each cover member 300 may be provided for at least one of the plurality of gas inlets 221. For example, a cover member 300 may be provided for each of the plurality of gas inlets 221. The cover member 300 may be provided on the first cover 220a in which the gas inlet 221 is formed.

[0121] Such a cover member 300 may be configured to be opened by heat or pressure in the event of a thermal event. For example, the cover member 300 may be configured to melt by heat, such as from vent gases. Alternatively, the cover member 300 may be configured to burst by pressure, such as from vent gases.

[0122] In particular, among the plurality of cover members 300, only the cover member 300 provided on the side of the battery module 10 where a thermal event occurred may be configured to open. Specifically, referring to the dotted arrows in FIG. 8 , vent gas discharged from the vent hole 12 of the battery module 10 where a thermal event occurred may open only the cover member 300 provided on the side of the battery module 10 where the thermal event occurred. As a result, the gas inlet 221 may be opened and flow into the vent flow path VP formed inside the cover frame 220. Meanwhile, the cover member 300 provided on the side of another adjacent battery module 10 may maintain a closed state. As a result, the vent gas inside the vent flow path VP may be configured to not flow back toward the other battery module 10.

[0123] According to the present embodiment, when thermal runaway occurs in a battery cell 100, high-temperature gases, flames, etc. generated in each battery module 10 can be individually discharged to the outside, thereby minimizing heat propagation to battery cells 100 provided in other battery modules 10. That is, according to the present embodiment, even if a thermal event occurs in one battery module 10, it is possible to suppress the influence on other battery modules 10. As a result, propagation of thermal runaway within the battery pack 1 can be prevented or suppressed, and the safety and reliability of the battery pack 1 can be ensured.

[0124] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a battery pack according to yet another embodiment of the present invention, illustrating an example in which at least a portion of a partition is open.

[0125] 9, the partition wall W may be configured so that at least a portion thereof is opened by the vent gas inside the vent passage VP, thereby allowing the cooling medium inside the cooling passage CP to be discharged to the vent passage VP side through the opened portion of the partition wall W.

[0126] According to this embodiment, when a thermal event occurs in a battery module 10, the cooling medium is discharged from the cooling passage CP to the vent passage VP to cool the heat of the vent gas and simultaneously extinguish the fire, etc. Furthermore, the pressure of the discharged cooling medium can suppress particles such as sparks from flowing inside the vent passage VP.

[0127] Specifically, the partition wall W may be provided with a partition hole H that is configured to open when a thermal event occurs. For example, a sealing member may normally be configured to cover the partition hole H, and when a thermal event occurs, the sealing member may melt to open the partition hole H. Alternatively, a notch may be provided along the partition hole H so that the partition hole H can be opened by heat or pressure.

[0128] A plurality of partition holes H may be provided and may be arranged in a plurality of rows and columns. Also, the partition holes H may be provided in a small size so that the cooling medium has a predetermined pressure when discharged.

[0129] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a battery pack according to yet another embodiment of the present invention, illustrating an example in which a guide member is provided on a partition wall.

[0130] In particular, the direction in which the cooling medium is discharged from the partition hole H may be configured to be opposite to the flow direction of the vent gas (see the dotted arrow shown in FIG. 10). The vent gas may be configured to be discharged toward the outside of the cover frame 220, and the cooling medium discharged from the partition hole H may be configured to be discharged toward the inside of the cover frame 220. For example, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the cooling medium may be configured to be discharged from the partition hole H toward the gas inlet 221.

[0131] Therefore, the cover frame 220 may further include a guide member G. The guide member G may be configured to protrude from the outer surface of the partition wall W toward the vent flow path VP. The guide member G may be configured to guide the direction of the cooling medium discharged from the partition wall hole H. In particular, the guide member G may guide the cooling medium discharged from the partition wall hole H toward the gas inlet 221.

[0132] 10, the guide member G may be provided in an oblique line shape toward the gas inlet 221. That is, the guide member G may be configured to protrude from the outer surface of the partition wall W toward the inside of the vent passage VP and to be configured to be closer to the gas inlet 221 as it approaches the outer end. The guide member G may be provided to form an acute angle with the partition wall W. The shape, length, direction, etc. of the guide member G may vary and may change depending on the position of the gas inlet 221.

[0133] Furthermore, a plurality of guide members G may be provided. The plurality of guide members G may be arranged so as to be spaced apart from one another along the horizontal direction. For example, the plurality of guide members G may be arranged so as to be spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal direction of the partition wall W (the Y-axis direction in FIG. 10).

[0134] According to this embodiment, it is possible to either obstruct the flow of vent gas and the like flowing through the vent passage VP or increase the contact area and contact time with the cooling passage CP, which increases the time that the vent gas and flames and the like remain inside the vent passage VP, allowing the vent gas and the like to be cooled more efficiently by the cooling medium.

[0135] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the vent gas and flames inside the vent flow path VP are repelled by the guide members G, further suppressing the flow of sparks and flames that tend to travel in a straight line. In this case, particles such as sparks may be trapped in grooves formed between the guide members G. Therefore, it is possible to prevent sparks and flames from being discharged to the outside of the battery pack 1.

[0136] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a battery pack according to yet another embodiment of the present invention, illustrating an example of a cooling channel configured so that at least a portion thereof protrudes.

[0137] 11, the cooling flow passage CP may be configured to partially protrude toward the vent flow passage VP. Specifically, the partition wall W may include a protrusion P. The protrusion P may be formed such that at least a portion of the partition wall W protrudes toward the vent flow passage VP. Such a protrusion P may be configured to be filled with a cooling medium. In other words, the protrusion P may be configured such that a concave-convex shape is repeatedly formed along the horizontal direction.

[0138] A plurality of protrusions P may be provided. The plurality of protrusions P may be configured to be spaced apart from one another along the partition wall W. For example, the protrusions P may be configured to extend elongatedly in the left-right direction and be spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction.

[0139] Furthermore, a space through which vent gas and the like can flow can be provided between the protruding parts P. As a result, as indicated by the dotted arrows in FIG. 11 , a vent flow path VP is formed in the space between adjacent protruding parts P, and the vent gas and the like can flow between the protruding parts P.

[0140] According to this embodiment, at least a portion of the cooling passage CP is configured to protrude toward the vent passage VP, thereby increasing the area where the vent gas flowing inside the vent passage VP comes into contact with the cooling medium, thereby quickly cooling the vent gas and minimizing heat transfer to other battery cells 100.

[0141] Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a battery pack according to yet another embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 13 is a top view of a battery pack according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

[0142] Alternatively, the cooling channels CP may be provided on at least one side of the vent channels VP. As in the above-described embodiment, the cooling channels CP may be provided only on the outside or inside of the vent channels VP.

[0143] Alternatively, unlike the above-described embodiment, the cooling channels CP may be provided on both sides of the vent channel VP. For example, the vent channel VP may extend horizontally inside the cover frame 220, and the cooling channels CP may be formed above and below the vent channel VP, forming a triple structure.

[0144] According to this embodiment, the cooling passages CP are formed on both sides of the vent passage VP, which increases the area of ​​the cooling passages CP that comes into contact with the vent gas inside the vent passage VP, thereby enabling the vent gas to be cooled more quickly, thereby further improving the cooling efficiency of the vent gas.

[0145] For example, the cooling passages CP and the vent passages VP may be arranged along the horizontal direction, i.e., as shown in Fig. 12, the partition wall W may be installed vertically between the first cover 220a and the second cover 220b and spaced apart along the horizontal direction (e.g., the left-right direction of the cover frame 220).

[0146] Specifically, the vent channel VP may include a plurality of unit vent channels VP', and the cooling channel CP may include a plurality of unit cooling channels CP'. In this case, as shown in Fig. 13, the plurality of unit vent channels VP' and the plurality of unit cooling channels CP' may be alternately arranged in the horizontal direction (e.g., the left-right direction of the cover frame 220). In other words, a unit cooling channel CP' may be arranged on both sides of each of the plurality of unit vent channels VP'.

[0147] The unit vent flow path VP' can be provided at a position facing the vent hole 12. In this case, the gas inlet 221 can be configured to face the vent hole 12. Furthermore, a gas outlet 222 can be formed for each of the plurality of unit vent flow paths VP'. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, a gas outlet 222 can be formed at each of both end portions of the plurality of unit vent flow paths VP'.

[0148] On the other hand, the unit cooling flow passages CP' can be formed between the vent holes 12, that is, between the unit vent flow passages VP'. In this case, the inlet port I and the outlet port O can be formed for each unit cooling flow passage CP'.

[0149] According to this embodiment, a plurality of unit vent flow paths VP' facing the battery cells 100 are provided, so that vent gas and the like can be more quickly discharged to the outside.

[0150] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, vent gas generated in a battery cell 100 in which a thermal event has occurred can be vented to the outside more quickly by directly flowing into a unit vent flow path VP′ facing the battery cell 100. Also, gas inlet ports 221 are individually provided in a plurality of unit vent flow paths VP′, thereby preventing heat transfer to other battery modules 10 or battery cells 100 in which a thermal event has not occurred.

[0151] According to the present embodiment, the area where the vent gas flowing through the vent passage VP comes into contact with the cooling medium is increased, thereby quickly cooling the vent gas and minimizing heat transfer to other battery cells 100 or battery modules 10.

[0152] Meanwhile, although not shown, it goes without saying that the above-described cover member 300, partition hole H, guide member G, protrusion P, etc. can also be applied to the embodiment shown in FIGS.

[0153] FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view of a vehicle including a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0154] 14, an automobile V according to an embodiment of the present invention may include one or more battery packs 1 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 may be operated by receiving power from the battery pack 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0155] 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 skill in the art 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 pack case including: a main body frame configured to accommodate the plurality of battery cells and having an open end formed on at least one side; and a cover frame provided at the open end of the main body frame to be positioned on a side where vent gas is discharged from the plurality of battery cells, the cover frame having a cooling flow path formed in an internal space and configured to allow a cooling medium to flow.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein a vent passage is formed in the interior space of the cover frame, the vent passage being disposed on at least one side of the cooling passage and configured to allow the vent gas to flow.

3. The battery pack according to claim 2 , wherein the cooling channel and the vent channel are arranged in parallel in a direction from an outside to an inside of the cover frame.

4. The battery pack according to claim 3 , wherein the cooling passage is provided outside the vent passage.

5. 5. The battery pack of claim 4, further comprising a module case configured to accommodate a plurality of the battery cells in a group, the module case having a vent hole formed on at least one surface thereof, the vent hole configured to allow the vent gas to be discharged to the outside.

6. The battery pack according to claim 5 , wherein the cover frame includes a gas inlet configured to face the vent hole.

7. the cover frame is located on the top of the module case, The battery pack according to claim 6 , wherein the vent hole is formed in an upper surface of the module case and is configured to communicate with the gas inlet.

8. The battery pack according to claim 6 , further comprising a cover member covering the gas inlet and configured to be opened by heat or pressure.

9. The battery pack according to claim 2 , wherein the cover frame includes a partition wall provided between the vent passage and the cooling passage.

10. 10. The battery pack according to claim 9, wherein the partition is configured to be at least partially openable by vent gas within the vent passage.

11. The battery pack according to claim 10 , wherein the cover frame further includes a guide member configured to protrude from a surface of the partition wall toward the vent passage.

12. The battery pack according to claim 2 , wherein the cooling channel is configured to partially protrude toward the vent channel.

13. The battery pack according to claim 2 , wherein the cooling channel and the vent channel are arranged along a horizontal direction.

14. A motor vehicle comprising a battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

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