Battery pack and automobile including same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery pack including a plurality of battery cells, a pack case configured to house the plurality of battery cells, and a vent device provided in the pack case that forms forced convection to exhaust vent gas inside the pack case to the outside of the pack case.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack and a vehicle including the same.

[0002] This application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0107240, filed on August 16, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety in the specification and drawings of that patent application. [Background technology]

[0003] Secondary batteries, which are highly adaptable to various product groups and have electrical properties such as high energy density, are widely used not only in portable devices but also in electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), which are powered by electrically-driven sources. In addition to the primary advantage of dramatically reducing the use of fossil fuels, these secondary batteries are attracting attention as a new energy source for environmental considerations and improved energy efficiency, as they do not produce any by-products associated with energy use.

[0004] Currently widely used types of secondary batteries include lithium-ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, and nickel-zinc batteries. When a high output voltage is required, a battery module or a battery pack may be configured by connecting multiple battery cells in series. To increase the charge / discharge capacity, a battery module or a battery pack may be configured by connecting multiple battery cells in parallel. Therefore, the number of cells included in the battery module or pack may be varied depending on the required output voltage or charge / discharge capacity.

[0005] However, because battery cells undergo chemical reactions during charging and discharging, their performance may deteriorate if they are used in an environment that exceeds the appropriate temperature. Furthermore, if thermal control is not performed at the appropriate temperature, there is always the possibility of unexpected fire or explosion. Therefore, if a thermal event such as thermal runaway occurs inside a battery pack, the high-temperature gases and flames emitted from the battery cells inside can spread to adjacent battery modules, potentially causing a chain reaction of battery module explosions, creating a very dangerous situation.

[0006] For this reason, in the past, when thermal runaway occurred inside a battery pack, high-temperature gases and flames were vented to the outside of the battery pack due to the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the battery pack. However, in such cases, not only were the gases and flames not vented quickly to the outside of the battery pack, but the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the battery pack decreased after the thermal runaway of the battery module ended, and the gases and flames were not continuously vented. As a result, high-temperature heat remained inside the battery pack even after the thermal runaway of the battery module ended, and there was a possibility that the heat would propagate to adjacent battery modules.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need for a structure that can quickly expel high-temperature gases and flames generated inside a battery module to the outside of the battery pack when thermal runaway occurs in the battery module, thereby minimizing thermal propagation to adjacent battery modules.

[0008] Furthermore, a structure is required that can continuously exhaust high-temperature gases and flames to the outside of the battery pack even after the thermal runaway of the battery module has ended, thereby preventing heat accumulation inside the battery pack. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a battery pack that can quickly exhaust gases and flames generated inside a battery module to the outside of the battery pack when thermal runaway occurs in the battery module, thereby effectively preventing or delaying heat propagation between battery modules.

[0010] Another problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a battery pack that continuously exhausts high-temperature gases and flames to the outside of the battery pack even after thermal runaway of the battery module has ended, thereby preventing heat accumulation inside the battery pack and improving safety and reliability.

[0011] Still another problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a vehicle that includes such a battery pack.

[0012] However, the problems that the present invention aims to solve are not limited to those mentioned above, and other problems not described will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention given below. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] In order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides a battery pack including a plurality of battery cells, a pack case configured to house the plurality of battery cells, and a vent device provided in the pack case that forms forced convection to exhaust vent gas inside the pack case to the outside of the pack case.

[0014] The battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a module case configured to group at least some of the plurality of battery cells and having a vent hole formed on at least one side thereof.

[0015] The pack case may include a pack frame arranged to surround the plurality of battery cells and provided with the vent device, a vent flow path through which the vent gas flows may be formed inside the pack frame, and the vent device may be configured to forcibly discharge the vent gas in the vent flow path to the outside of the pack case.

[0016] The pack frame may include a base frame configured to mount the battery cells thereon and a plurality of side frames extending upward from the base frame, and the vent flow path may be formed inside the plurality of side frames.

[0017] A plurality of the vent devices may be provided on side frames facing each other among the plurality of side frames.

[0018] The pack frame may include a cross beam provided to connect opposing side frames among the plurality of side frames, and the vent passage may be formed inside the cross beam.

[0019] The plurality of vent devices may be arranged symmetrically with respect to each other with respect to the cross beam.

[0020] The pack frame may have at least one inlet hole formed therein, configured to allow the vent gas to flow into the vent passage.

[0021] The inlet holes may be provided in plurality at intervals along the extension direction of the pack frame.

[0022] The inlet hole may be formed in a rectangular shape along the extension direction of the pack frame.

[0023] The battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a rib provided inside the vent passage formed in the pack frame and configured to guide the vent gas toward the vent device.

[0024] The inlet holes may be provided in a plurality of rows, and the rib may be provided between two adjacent rows.

[0025] The rib may be provided so as to extend linearly along the extension direction of the pack frame.

[0026] The vent flow path may be divided into a plurality of compartment spaces by the ribs, and the vent device may be configured to communicate with each of the plurality of compartment spaces.

[0027] The pack case may be coupled to an upper portion of the pack frame and include pack leads configured to be spaced apart from the battery cells, and may be configured so that the vent gas flows in a space between the battery cells and the pack leads.

[0028] The vent device may include a fan assembly.

[0029] The fan assembly may include a coupling portion coupled to the pack frame, and a plurality of rotating portions extending outward from the coupling portion and configured to be rotatable.

[0030] The present invention further provides a vehicle including the battery pack according to the present invention. [Effects of the Invention]

[0031] According to one aspect of the present invention, when thermal runaway occurs in a battery module, gases, flames, etc. generated inside the battery module can be quickly discharged to the outside of the battery pack, thereby effectively preventing or delaying the propagation of thermal runaway between battery modules and ensuring the safety and reliability of the battery pack.

[0032] Furthermore, according to another aspect of the present invention, even after the thermal runaway of the battery module has ended, high-temperature gases, flames, etc. can be continuously discharged to the outside of the battery pack, thereby preventing heat accumulation inside the battery pack.

[0033] Furthermore, according to still another aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent or delay an event caused by thermal runaway in a device equipped with a battery pack, such as a fire or explosion.

[0034] In addition to the effects described above, the present invention may have various other effects, but these effects will be described in each embodiment, or effects that can be easily guessed by a person skilled in the art will not be described here.

[0035] The drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention to be described later, serve to further understand 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]

[0036] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall perspective view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is an exploded perspective view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] 3 is an enlarged view of part A in FIG. 2, illustrating the structure of a vent device of a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a vent device of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a view showing a cross section taken along line II' in FIG. 1, illustrating a vent flow path of the battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of part B in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of part C in FIG. 5. [Figure 8] 1 is a diagram showing an inlet hole of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are views showing inlet holes of a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a vent flow path of the battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II′ of FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III′ of FIG. [Figure 13] 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV′ of FIG. 1, illustrating a vent flow path of a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [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

[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 words used in the specification and claims should not be construed as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be construed as meanings and concepts that are consistent with 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 embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical idea of ​​the present invention, and that there may be various equivalent and modified embodiments that can be substituted for them at the time of this application.

[0039] The present invention includes various embodiments, and the following description will focus on differences between the embodiments, omitting redundant descriptions of substantially identical or similar configurations.

[0040] On the other hand, in this specification, terms indicating directions such as up, down, left, right, front, and rear are used, but these terms are used for convenience of explanation, and it will be obvious to those skilled in the art of the present invention that they may differ depending on the position of the object in question, the position of the observer, etc.

[0041] For example, in an embodiment of the present invention, the X-axis direction shown in the drawings may refer to the front-to-back direction, the Y-axis direction may refer to the left-to-right direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction and the horizontal plane (XY plane), and the Z-axis direction may refer to the up-to-down direction perpendicular to both the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction.

[0042] Fig. 1 is an overall perspective view of a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of part A in Fig. 2 and is a view for explaining the structure of a vent device of a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a vent device of a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] 1 to 4, a battery pack 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a battery cell 110, a pack case 200, and a vent device 300.

[0044] 1, a battery pack 10 according to the present invention may include a pack case 200. The pack case 200 constitutes the exterior of the battery pack 10. The pack case 200 may have a predetermined length in each of the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions and may have a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole. The pack case 200 may include a box-shaped pack frame 210 with an open top, and a pack lid 220 that covers the open top of the pack frame 210.

[0045] 2, a battery pack 10 according to the present invention may include at least one, and preferably a plurality of battery cells 110. The battery cells 110 may be housed in a pack case 200 of FIG. 1. In this case, the plurality of battery cells 110 may be electrically connected to each other.

[0046] The battery cell 110 may be configured in a pouch type. The cell case of the pouch type battery cell 110 may be configured in a pouch shape in which a metal layer made of aluminum is interposed between polymer layers.

[0047] Although not shown, the pouch-type battery cell 110 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. The cell case may include a housing that houses the electrode assembly and a sealing portion that seals the periphery of the housing.

[0048] At this time, the plurality of battery cells 110 may be arranged in parallel in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) while standing upright in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction), as shown in Fig. 2. At this time, the sealing portion of each battery cell 110 may face the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) and the up-down direction (Z-axis direction), and the storage portion may face the left-right direction (Y-axis direction).

[0049] Meanwhile, the present invention is not limited to a specific type or shape of the battery cell 110, and various battery cells 110 known at the time of filing of the present invention may be adopted to configure the battery pack 10 of the present invention. In this 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 is of course also possible to use a cylindrical or prismatic secondary battery as the battery cell 110.

[0050] Meanwhile, the pack case 200 may be configured to accommodate a plurality of battery cells 110. That is, the pack case 200 may provide an accommodating space capable of accommodating a plurality of battery cells 110. The pack case 200 may be made of or include a material that ensures mechanical rigidity, such as a metal such as stainless steel (Steel Use Stainless, SUS) or a fiber-reinforced plastic, in order to safely protect the battery cells 110 accommodated therein.

[0051] The pack frame 210 may be provided to surround a plurality of battery cells 110. Specifically, the pack frame 210 may include a base frame 211 and a plurality of side frames 212.

[0052] The base frame 211 may be configured to mount a plurality of battery cells 110. The base frame 211 may form a lower surface of the pack case 200 and may be provided in the shape of a square plate. In addition, the base frame 211 may have a flat upper surface so that the module case 120 can be stably mounted thereon.

[0053] The side frames 212 may be provided to extend upward from each side edge of the base frame 211. The side frames 212 may be arranged to surround the battery cells 110. More specifically, the side frames 212 may be provided as a right side wall located at the end in the +Y direction of the base frame 211, a rear side wall located at the end in the +X direction, a left side wall located at the end in the -Y direction, and a front side wall located at the end in the -X direction, and may form side surfaces of the pack case 200.

[0054] Meanwhile, the plurality of battery cells 110 may be arranged adjacent to each other in a plurality of rows in the front-rear direction and / or the left-right direction. For example, as shown in Fig. 2, the plurality of battery cells 110 may be arranged in two rows in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) and four rows in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction).

[0055] 2, the pack frame 210 may include a cross beam 213. The cross beam 213 may be provided to connect opposing side frames 212 among the plurality of side frames 212. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the cross beam 213 may extend in the left-right direction and be provided to connect the right side wall and the left side wall of the side frames 212.

[0056] In this case, the cross beam 213 may be configured to separate the plurality of battery cells 110. The cross beam 213 may be provided between the battery cells 110 arranged in two rows in the front-rear direction. As a result, the plurality of battery cells 110 may be arranged spaced apart by the cross beam 213.

[0057] The pack frame 210 may also include a partition wall 214. A plurality of the partition walls 214 may be provided, and may be arranged to connect the side frames 212 and the cross beam 213, respectively. For example, as shown in FIG. 2 , the partition walls 214 may be arranged to connect the front wall body and the rear wall body of the side frame 212 to the cross beam 213, respectively. In this case, the plurality of partition walls 214 may be arranged spaced apart from each other along the direction in which the cross beam 213 extends, i.e., the left-right direction. The partition walls 214 may be arranged between the plurality of battery cells 110 arranged in four rows in the left-right direction, respectively, to separate the battery cells 110.

[0058] Meanwhile, the pack lid 220 may be coupled to the upper portion of the side frame 212 to form the upper surface of the pack case 200. In this case, the pack lid 220 may be installed at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) from the upper end of the cross beam 213 and the battery cells 110.

[0059] The battery pack 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention may also include a vent device 300. The vent device 300 may be provided in the pack case 200. Specifically, the vent device 300 may be provided on a side surface of the pack case 200, i.e., the side frame 212. The vent device 300 may be configured to discharge gas generated in the battery cells 110 housed inside the pack case 200 to the outside of the pack case 200. In this case, the vent device 300 may be configured to generate forced convection. Here, forced convection refers to the artificial movement of gas even without a pressure difference, as opposed to natural convection, in which gas moves from a high-pressure area to a low-pressure area due to a pressure difference. The vent device 300 is preferably provided to communicate with the outside of the pack case 200.

[0060] According to the configuration of the above embodiment of the present invention, when thermal runaway occurs in the battery cell 110, gas, flame, etc. generated inside the battery cell 110 can be quickly discharged to the outside of the battery pack 10. Furthermore, when the thermal runaway of the battery cell 110 ends, the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the battery pack 10 decreases, and the movement of vent gas, etc. stops. However, according to the configuration of the above embodiment of the present invention, the forced convection of the vent device 300 can forcibly discharge not only the high-temperature gas and flame but also the heat remaining in the adjacent battery cell 110 to the outside of the battery pack 10, thereby preventing heat from accumulating inside the battery pack 10. This effectively prevents or delays the propagation of thermal runaway between the battery cells 110, thereby ensuring the safety and reliability of the battery pack 10.

[0061] On the other hand, a plurality of vent devices 300 may be provided. The vent device 300 may be provided in at least one of the plurality of side frames 212. The vent devices 300 may be provided separately in two or more side frames 212, or two or more vent devices 300 may be provided in one side frame 212.

[0062] The vent device 300 may be provided on opposing side frames 212 among the plurality of side frames 212. For example, as shown in FIG. 2 , a plurality of vent devices 300 may be provided on each of the left side wall and the right side wall of the plurality of side frames 212. In this case, the plurality of vent devices 300 may be provided symmetrically with respect to each other with respect to the cross beam 213. As in the configuration of the embodiment of the present invention, the vent devices 300 are provided on both sides of the pack frame 210, and thus high-temperature gas and the like can be discharged in both directions of the pack case 200 in the event of an abnormality in a battery cell 110, making it easy to more quickly discharge gas to the outside of the pack case 200.

[0063] Meanwhile, the number and positions of the vent devices 300 described based on the embodiment of FIG. 2 are merely examples, and it goes without saying that they can be changed to a plurality of other numbers and positions.

[0064] 3 and 4, the structure of the vent device 300 will be described in detail. The vent device 300 may include a fan assembly 310. The fan assembly 310 may include a coupling portion 311 coupled to the pack frame 210 and a plurality of rotating portions 312 extending outward from the coupling portion 311 and configured to be rotatable. The plurality of rotating portions 312 may be spaced apart from one another and radially arranged around the coupling portion 311. According to the configuration of the embodiment of the present invention, the rotation of the rotating portion 312 may forcibly move gas and circulate heat, thereby discharging heat from inside the pack case 200 to the outside of the pack case 200. Alternatively, the vent device 300 may have any structure that can generate forced convection.

[0065] The side frame 212 may have a coupling hole formed therein for coupling the fan assembly 310 thereto, and the fan assembly 310 may be inserted into the coupling hole.

[0066] Meanwhile, the battery pack 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a module case 120. The module case 120 may be configured to have a space formed therein and to accommodate at least some of the plurality of battery cells 110 in the space. In particular, the module case 120 may function as a boundary that divides the plurality of battery cells 110 into a plurality of groups and physically separates the interior spaces of the respective battery cells 110.

[0067] That is, the battery pack 10 according to the present invention includes a plurality of battery modules 100, and the plurality of battery cells 110 included in the battery pack 10 can be divided and housed among the plurality of battery modules 100.

[0068] The module case 120 may be made of a metal material that is rigid and heat-resistant to provide physical and chemical protection to the housed battery cells 110 .

[0069] 2, the module case 120 may be configured as a monoframe. For example, the module case 120 may be configured as a rectangular tube having an upper surface, a lower surface, a left side surface, and a right side surface, and having an open front and rear surfaces.

[0070] Alternatively, the module case 120 may be configured as a U-frame. When the module case 120 is configured as a U-frame, it may be configured to cover both side surfaces and a bottom surface of the battery cell 110. The module case 120 may include a left plate and a right plate covering both side surfaces of the battery cell 110, and a bottom plate covering a bottom surface of the battery cell 110. The left plate, the right plate, and the bottom plate may be configured as an integrated unit. In this case, the top surface and the front and rear surfaces of the module case 120 may be open.

[0071] Alternatively, the module case 120 may be configured in various other forms. For example, the module case 120 may include a box-shaped lower case having an open top end and an upper cover that closes the open top end of the lower case. In this case, the lower case may be configured with left and right plates that cover both sides of the battery cells 110, and front and rear plates that cover the front and rear of the battery cells 110, all integrated together.

[0072] The battery module 100 may include a top plate 130 that forms an upper surface of the module case 120. When the module case 120 is configured as a U-frame, the top plate 130 may be coupled to the open upper surface of the module case 120. In this case, the combined shape of the top plate 130 and the module case 120 may have a rectangular tube shape with open front and rear surfaces.

[0073] The battery module 100 may also include end plates 140 provided on the open front and rear sides of the module case 120. The end plates 140 may be welded to the module case 120. Although not shown for convenience, the end plates 140 may have an inner surface made of an insulating material and an outer surface made of a metal material. The end plates 140 may also have holes or slits formed in some parts thereof for components that need to be exposed to the outside, such as the positive and negative terminals of the battery cells 110 or connectors.

[0074] Although not shown in the drawings, the battery module 100 may also include a bus bar assembly and / or a module terminal electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells 110 housed inside the module case 120.

[0075] Meanwhile, at least one vent hole 150 may be formed in the module case 120. Preferably, a plurality of vent holes 150 may be formed. The vent hole 150 may be configured to discharge vent gas generated in the battery cells 110 to the outside of the module case 120. The vent hole 150 may be formed on one side of the module case 120, allowing directional venting in one direction. For example, the vent hole 150 may be formed on the top surface of the module case 120. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the vent hole 150 may be formed in the top plate 130. According to the configuration of the embodiment of the present invention, the module case 120 other than the vent hole 150 is sealed, and gas or flames may be discharged linearly toward the vent hole 150.

[0076] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II' in Fig. 1, illustrating a vent flow path of a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of part B in Fig. 5, and Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of part C in Fig. 5.

[0077] Meanwhile, the vent device 300 may be provided to communicate with a vent passage S. The vent passage S may refer to a passage through which vent gas, etc. flows. The vent device 300 may be configured to forcibly discharge the vent gas present inside the vent passage S to the outside of the pack case 200. That is, the vent gas, etc. discharged from the battery cell 110 or the battery module 100 may travel through the vent passage S and then be discharged from the vent passage S to the outside of the pack case 200 by the vent device 300. This may prevent the vent gas, etc. from accumulating in the vent passage S and causing heat accumulation.

[0078] 5 to 7, the vent passage S may be formed inside the pack frame 210. In other words, a space through which vent gas or the like can flow is formed inside the pack frame 210, and the space may be defined as the vent passage S.

[0079] 6 and 7, at least one inlet hole H may be formed in the pack frame 210. The inlet hole H may be configured to allow vent gas to flow into a vent passage S formed inside the pack frame 210. The inlet hole H may be provided to communicate with the vent device 300. A plurality of the inlet holes H may be provided. As a result, vent gas, etc. generated in the battery module 100 may flow into the vent passage S through the inlet hole H and be discharged to the outside of the pack case 200 by the vent device 300.

[0080] 6, the vent flow path S may be formed inside the plurality of side frames 212. Furthermore, the inlet holes H may be formed on the inner surfaces of the plurality of side frames 212. As a result, as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 6, vent gas and the like generated inside the battery module 100 can move through the inlet holes H to the vent flow path S formed in the side frames 212 and be discharged to the outside of the pack case 200 by the vent device 300.

[0081] According to the configuration of the above embodiment of the present invention, vent gas, etc. can move directly into the internal space of the side frame 212 in which the vent device 300 is provided, so that the vent gas, etc. can be quickly discharged to the outside of the pack case 200.

[0082] 7, the vent passage S may also be formed inside the cross beam 213. In this case, the cross beam 213 may be provided to directly or indirectly communicate with the side frame 212. In addition, the inlet hole H may be formed on a surface of the cross beam 213 facing the battery module 100.

[0083] 7, vent gas and the like generated inside the battery module 100 can move to the vent flow path S through the inlet hole H formed in the cross beam 213, and then move to the vent flow path S of the side frame 212 on which the vent device 300 is provided. As a result, the vent gas and the like can be discharged to the outside of the pack case 200 by the vent device 300 provided on the side frame 212.

[0084] Therefore, according to the configuration of the above embodiment of the present invention, vent gases, etc. discharged from all battery modules 100 in contact with the cross beam 213 can move directly to the vent flow path S formed in the cross beam 213, so that the vent gases, etc. can be discharged more quickly to the outside of the pack case 200.

[0085] 7, when the inlet holes H are formed on the surface of the cross beam 213 facing the battery module 100, the inlet holes H formed on the facing surface may be arranged so as not to overlap with each other. In other words, the inlet holes H formed on the left side of the cross beam 213 and the inlet holes H formed on the right side of the cross beam 213 may be arranged alternately so as not to overlap with each other.

[0086] According to the configuration of the embodiment of the present invention, when a thermal event occurs in a battery module 100, vent gas or the like that flows into the vent flow path S through an inlet H can be prevented from being discharged to another battery module 100 through another inlet H formed on the side of the other battery module 100 that faces the battery module 100. This can effectively prevent or delay the propagation of thermal runaway to adjacent battery modules 100.

[0087] FIG. 8 is a view showing an inlet of a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a view showing an inlet of a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0088] 8 and 9, the inlet holes H, H' may be provided spaced apart from one another along the extension direction of the pack frame 210. For example, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the inlet holes H, H' may be arranged along the horizontal and vertical directions. That is, one battery module 100 may be provided so as to be in contact with the inlet holes H, H' formed in the cross beam 213. According to the configuration of the embodiment of the present invention, the provision of the inlet holes H, H' allows a larger amount of vent gas and the like to flow into the vent flow path S.

[0089] 9, the plurality of inlet holes H arranged horizontally in the above-described embodiment may be integrated to form an inlet hole H'. In this case, the inlet hole H' may be formed in a rectangular shape along the extension direction of the pack frame 210. According to the configuration of the above-described embodiment of the present invention, more gas can flow into the vent flow path S of the pack frame 210 than when the inlet hole H' is a small-diameter circular hole, and gas, heat, and the like inside the pack case 200 can be more quickly discharged to the outside of the battery pack 10.

[0090] The width direction length of the inlets H, H' formed in the cross beam 213 may be configured to be shorter than the left-right direction length of the battery modules 100. According to the configuration of the embodiment of the present invention, gas generated in one battery module 100 moves only through the inlets H, H' connected to the one battery module 100, and therefore the possibility of the gas propagating to other battery modules 100 is extremely low.

[0091] Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a vent channel of a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II' in Fig. 1, and Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III' in Fig. 1.

[0092] 10 to 12 , the battery pack 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a rib 400. The rib 400 may be provided inside the vent passage S formed in the pack frame 210 and configured to guide the vent gas toward the vent device 300. That is, the rib 400 provided on the cross beam 213 may be configured to guide the vent gas, etc. toward the side frames 212 connected to both sides of the cross beam 213. Furthermore, the rib 400 provided on the side frames 212 may be configured to guide the vent gas, etc. toward the vent device 300.

[0093] As described above, a plurality of inlet holes H may be provided and arranged in a plurality of rows. In this case, the rib 400 may be provided between two adjacent rows of the plurality of rows. For example, as shown in Fig. 11, the inlet holes H may be arranged in three rows along the vertical direction, and two ribs 400 may be provided between the two adjacent rows, spaced apart from each other along the vertical direction.

[0094] 11 and 12 , the rib 400 may be provided to extend linearly along the extension direction of the pack frame 210. The horizontal length of the rib 400 may be provided to correspond to the horizontal length of the pack frame 210. As a result, the vent flow path S may be divided into a plurality of compartment spaces C by the ribs 400. For example, as in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 , the vent flow path S may be divided into three compartment spaces C by two ribs 400. In this case, an inlet hole H may be provided in each compartment space C. Therefore, according to the configuration of the embodiment of the present invention, regardless of the height at which vent gas is discharged from the battery module 100, the vent gas can quickly flow into any of the compartment spaces C through the inlet hole H.

[0095] Furthermore, the vent device 300 may be configured to communicate with each of the plurality of compartment spaces C. As a result, vent gas or the like discharged from a certain battery module 100 flows into at least one compartment space C among the vent flow paths S formed in the cross beam 213 or the side frame 212, is guided along the rib 400 toward the vent device 300, and can be discharged to the outside of the pack case 200 by forced convection of the vent device 300.

[0096] 4, when the vent device 300 includes a fan assembly 310, a coupling portion 311 of the fan assembly 310 may be coupled between two adjacent ribs 400. That is, the vertical height of the coupling portion 311 may be configured to correspond to the distance between two adjacent ribs 400.

[0097] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV' in FIG. 1, illustrating a vent flow path of a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0098] 13 , the vent gas may be configured to flow in the gap between the battery module 100 and the pack lid 220. That is, a vent flow path S may be formed in the gap between the battery module 100 and the pack lid 220. Furthermore, gaps may exist between the pack lid 220 and the cross beam 213 and between the pack lid 220 and the partition wall 214, forming the vent flow path S. As a result, the vent gas, etc. discharged upward through the vent holes 150 of the battery module 100 may move to the vent flow path S and be discharged to the outside of the pack case 200 through the vent device 300 provided in the side frame 212.

[0099] According to the configuration of the above embodiment of the present invention, various vent flow paths S are provided inside the pack case 200, so that vent gases and the like generated from the battery cell 110 in the event of an abnormality in the battery cell 110 can be efficiently guided to the vent device 300 side and more quickly discharged to the outside of the pack case 200.

[0100] By combining the vent flow path S formed inside the pack frame 210 described in the previous embodiment with the vent flow path S formed in the space between the battery module 100 and the pack lid 220 described in this embodiment, it is possible to maximize the smooth release of vent gas and heat to the outside of the battery pack 10.

[0101] By forming forced convection through the vent device 300 in such a vent flow path S, vent gas and heat can be quickly and continuously discharged when thermal runaway occurs in the battery module 100, regardless of the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the battery pack 10.

[0102] According to the configuration of this embodiment, heat transfer between the battery modules 100 in the battery pack 10 can be minimized, and heat propagation between the battery modules in the battery pack 10 can be suppressed.

[0103] FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view of a vehicle including a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0104] 14 , an automobile 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include one or more of the battery pack 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention or the battery module 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle 20 according to the present invention may be, for example, an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, or a plug-in hybrid vehicle. The automobile 20 includes four-wheeled vehicles and two-wheeled vehicles. The automobile 20 operates by receiving power from the battery pack 10 or the battery module 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0105] Although the present invention has been described above using limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and it goes without saying 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 appended claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0106] 10 Battery pack 20 vehicles 100 Battery Module 110 battery cells 120 module case 130 Top Plate 140 End Plate 150 vent hole 200 pack case 210 Pack Frame 211 base frame 212 Side Frame 213 Cross Beam 214 Bulkhead 220 Pack Lid 300 Vent Device 310 Fan Assembly 311 Joint 312 Rotating part 400 ribs

Claims

1. a plurality of battery cells; a pack case configured to accommodate the plurality of battery cells; a vent device provided in the pack case and configured to generate forced convection so as to discharge vent gas inside the pack case to the outside of the pack case; Including the battery pack.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1 , further comprising a module case configured to group at least some of the plurality of battery cells, the module case having a vent hole formed on at least one side thereof.

3. The pack case is a pack frame disposed to surround the plurality of battery cells and provided with the vent device; A vent flow path through which the vent gas flows is formed inside the pack frame, The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the vent device is configured to forcibly discharge the vent gas in the vent passage to the outside of the pack case.

4. The pack frame includes: a base frame configured to mount the battery cell; a plurality of side frames extending upward from the base frame; The battery pack according to claim 3 , wherein the vent passages are formed inside the plurality of side frames.

5. The battery pack according to claim 4 , wherein a plurality of the vent devices are provided on mutually opposing side frames among the plurality of side frames.

6. The pack frame includes: a cross beam provided to connect opposing side frames among the plurality of side frames, The battery pack according to claim 4 , wherein the vent passage is formed inside the cross beam.

7. The battery pack according to claim 6 , wherein the plurality of vent devices are provided symmetrically with respect to one another with respect to the cross beam.

8. The battery pack according to claim 3 , wherein the pack frame is formed with at least one inlet hole configured to allow the vent gas to flow into the vent passage.

9. The battery pack according to claim 8 , wherein a plurality of the inlet holes are provided at intervals along the extending direction of the pack frame.

10. The battery pack according to claim 8 , wherein the inlet hole is formed in a rectangular shape along an extension direction of the pack frame.

11. The battery pack according to claim 9 , further comprising a rib provided inside the vent flow path formed in the pack frame and configured to guide the vent gas toward the vent device.

12. The inlet holes are provided in plurality and arranged in a plurality of rows, The battery pack according to claim 11 , wherein the rib is provided between two adjacent rows.

13. The battery pack according to claim 11, wherein the rib is provided so as to extend linearly along an extension direction of the pack frame.

14. The vent flow path is divided into a plurality of compartment spaces by the ribs, The battery pack of claim 13 , wherein the vent device is configured to communicate with each of the plurality of compartment spaces.

15. The pack case is a pack lid coupled to an upper portion of the pack frame and configured to space the battery cells apart; The battery pack according to claim 3 , wherein the vent gas flows in a space between the battery cell and the pack lid.

16. The battery pack of claim 3 , wherein the vent device includes a fan assembly.

17. The fan assembly includes: a coupling portion coupled to the pack frame; The battery pack according to claim 16, further comprising: a plurality of rotating portions extending outward from the coupling portion and configured to be rotatable.

18. A motor vehicle comprising a battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

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