Battery packs and battery devices including the same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery pack and a battery device including the same. A battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of battery modules, a housing for housing the plurality of battery modules, and a venting cover coupled to the housing and provided to cover the battery modules and to guide the flow of gas released from the battery modules, wherein the venting cover may include a cover body having a plurality of slits formed therein to allow gas released from the battery modules to pass through, and separation protrusions formed to protrude from the bottom surface of the cover body to isolate the plurality of battery modules so as to prevent gas movement between the plurality of battery modules.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0040564 filed on March 28, 2023, and all the contents disclosed in the documents of the Korean patent application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery pack and a battery device including the same.

Background Art

[0003] Secondary batteries are attracting attention as a new energy source for improving energy efficiency and being eco-friendly not only because they can significantly reduce the use of fossil fuels but also because they do not generate any by-products during energy use.

[0004] In the case of a battery pack including a large number of lithium secondary batteries, if a fire or explosion occurs, the entire battery pack may be damaged. For example, when an event such as a short circuit between lithium secondary batteries or an abnormal temperature rise occurs in some battery modules, a large amount of venting gas may be generated in the lithium secondary batteries. When the degradation becomes severe, a high-temperature spark containing electrode active material and aluminum particles may be ejected together with the venting gas. Here, the venting gas and the high-temperature spark may cause thermal damage to adjacent battery modules, and accordingly, the risk of further events occurring in other battery modules becomes very high.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need for a gas venting path that can minimize the impact on other battery modules when venting gas and high-temperature sparks are generated in some battery modules and can quickly and safely discharge the venting gas to the outside of the battery pack.

[0006] The background technologies described above were possessed or acquired by the inventors in the process of deriving the disclosures of this application, and are not necessarily publicly known technologies that were made public prior to this application. [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] The present invention was derived to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a battery pack equipped with a gas flow path that can prevent gas released from a battery module from spreading to adjacent battery modules.

[0008] The objective of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a battery pack that can reduce heat transfer between battery modules. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of battery modules, a housing for housing the plurality of battery modules, and a venting cover coupled to the housing and provided to cover the battery modules and guide the flow of gas released from the battery modules, wherein the venting cover may include a cover body having a plurality of slits formed therein to allow gas released from the battery modules to pass through, and separation protrusions formed to protrude from the bottom surface of the cover body to isolate the plurality of battery modules and prevent gas movement between the plurality of battery modules.

[0010] The separation projection can be located between two adjacent battery modules.

[0011] The venting cover may further include a guide unit formed on at least a portion of the periphery of the slit and extending away from the slit.

[0012] The guide unit includes a first guide unit extending to one side of the cover body and a second guide unit extending to the other side of the cover body, and the first guide unit and the second guide unit can be arranged alternately.

[0013] A battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a separation plate positioned between the plurality of battery modules to prevent heat transfer between the plurality of battery modules.

[0014] The separation plate may include a first plate extending from one end to the other end of the housing, and a plurality of second plates positioned perpendicular to the first plate.

[0015] The plurality of second plates are arranged parallel to each other at predetermined intervals, and the battery modules can be positioned between adjacent second plates.

[0016] The housing may further include venting channels located on both sides of the housing, through which the gas that has passed through the slit can flow into the interior.

[0017] A battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention further includes a valve plate disposed between the battery module and the venting channel, which can be ruptured and opened when the gas is released from the battery module.

[0018] The valve plate can be provided to block the gas flowing through the venting channel from entering the battery module while it is not ruptured and open.

[0019] The housing may be provided with a discharge section that discharges the gas flowing through the venting channel to the outside of the housing.

[0020] A battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention can further include a bus bar that electrically connects the battery modules adjacent to each other, and an insulating unit that wraps a part of the bus bar so as to electrically insulate the bus bar from the venting cover.

[0021] The insulating unit can be provided so as to wrap the periphery of the bus bar at the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the bus bar.

[0022] It can be provided as a battery device according to the present invention, and the battery device according to the present invention can include a plurality of the battery packs discussed above.

Advantages of the Invention

[0023] A battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention can be provided with a gas flow path that can prevent gas released from a battery module from diffusing to an adjacent battery module.

[0024] A battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention can reduce heat transfer between battery modules.

[0025] In addition, it can include effects that can be easily predicted by those skilled in the art from the configurations according to the embodiments of the present invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026] [Figure 1] A disassembled perspective view of a battery pack according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is shown. [Figure 2] An assembled perspective view of a battery pack according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is shown. [Figure 3] An upper plan view of the venting cover is shown. [Figure 4] A partial perspective view cut along the cut line A-A' in FIG. 3 is shown. [Figure 5]This shows a partial perspective view of the valve plate of a battery pack according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is a side view showing the gas passing through the venting cover. [Figure 7] This is a plan view of the battery pack from above. [Figure 8] This is a side view showing the gas flowing towards the venting channel. [Figure 9] This is a perspective view showing the shape of the busbars and insulating unit of a battery pack according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. [Figure 10] This is a partial schematic diagram showing the mounting configuration of the busbars and insulation unit of the battery pack according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. [Figure 11] Figure 10 shows a partial oblique view of the incision made along the incision line A-A'. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0027] In the following, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings, so that they can be easily implemented by a person with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. The following description is one of various aspects of the embodiments, and in describing one embodiment, specific descriptions of known functions or configurations will be omitted in order to clarify the gist of the present invention.

[0028] In this specification, when assigning reference numerals to components in each drawing, the same or similar reference numerals shall be used for components that are identical or similar throughout the specification. Components that have a common function with components included in one embodiment shall be described using the same name in other embodiments. Terms and words used in this specification and in the claims shall not be interpreted to be limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but rather should be interpreted in a way that is consistent with the technical idea of ​​the invention, in accordance with the principle that inventors may appropriately define the concepts of terms in order to best describe their invention.

[0029] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and variations can be made from this description by anyone with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. For this reason, the concept of the present invention should not be limited to the embodiments described above, and it can be said that not only the claims described later, but also all variations that are equivalent or comparable to the claims, fall within the scope of the concept of the present invention.

[0030] Embodiment 1 Figure 1 shows an exploded perspective view of the battery pack 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0031] Referring to Figure 1, the battery pack 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention can be formed with a battery module m, a housing 10, a venting cover 30, a separation plate 20, a venting channel, a valve plate 50, and a discharge section 60.

[0032] Multiple battery modules m can be provided. The housing 10 can accommodate multiple battery modules m. Multiple battery modules m can be housed inside the housing 10 at predetermined intervals. The battery modules m can be provided with an overall rectangular parallelepiped appearance having a longitudinal direction. The battery modules m can be arranged in two rows, for example, in the internal space of the housing 10.

[0033] The housing 10 can be formed in an overall rectangular parallelepiped shape with an open top surface to accommodate multiple battery modules m.

[0034] The venting cover 30 can be provided to be coupled to the housing 10. The venting cover 30 can be coupled from the top of the housing 10 and can cover a plurality of battery modules m housed in the housing 10. The venting cover 30 can be provided to guide the flow of gas released from at least some of the battery modules m housed in the housing 10 if gas is generated in some of the battery modules m. For this purpose, the venting cover 30 may include slits through which gas can pass and flow, and separation protrusions that spatially separate adjacent battery modules m. The venting cover 30 can be formed of a metallic material (e.g., aluminum) to withstand the high-temperature gas released from the battery modules m. The shape and function of the venting cover 30 will be described in detail in Figures 3 and 4 below.

[0035] The separation plate 20 can be located in the housing 10. The separation plate 20 can be placed between a plurality of battery modules m housed inside the housing 10. The separation plate 20 can be placed between the battery modules m to prevent heat transfer between adjacent battery modules m. The separation plate 20 can be provided in the form of a partition between the plurality of battery modules m. The separation plate 20 can be formed of, for example, a heat-insulating mica material to prevent heat transfer, but is not limited to this.

[0036] The separation plate 20 may include a first plate 21 and a second plate 22. The first plate 21 may be formed inside the housing 10, extending from one end of the housing 10 to the other. The first plate 21 may be positioned in the central portion traversing, for example, a plurality of battery modules m arranged in two rows, thereby spatially separating the two rows of battery modules m into their respective rows. A plurality of second plates 22 may be formed. The second plates 22 may be positioned perpendicular to the first plate 21, and the plurality of the second plates 22 may be positioned parallel to each other at predetermined intervals. The second plates 22 may be positioned between the plurality of battery modules m separated into two rows by the first plate 21, and may be located on both sides of the battery modules m. That is, one battery module m may be positioned between adjacent second plates 22.

[0037] Although Figure 1 shows one second plate 22, this is for ease of understanding, and it is clear that the battery pack 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention may include multiple second plates 22.

[0038] By adopting the configuration of the first plate 21 and the second plate 22, even if heat is generated in each battery module m, heat transfer to adjacent battery modules m is greatly reduced, and the thermal stability of the battery pack can be greatly improved.

[0039] The venting channels 40 can be located on both sides of the housing 10. Therefore, the venting channels 40 can be provided in pairs. The venting channels 40 can be provided so as to be fastened to both sides of the housing 10. When gas is released from the battery module m, the gas can flow through the slits in the venting cover 30 and toward the venting channels 40. The gas that has passed through the slits can flow into the interior of the venting channels 40. In other words, the venting channels 40 can act as guides to direct the gas generated from the battery module m so that it flows along the sides of the housing. The gas that has flowed into the venting channels 40 can move toward the discharge section 60 formed in the housing and be discharged to the outside through the discharge section 60. The flow path of the gas released from the battery module m will be described in detail in Figures 6 to 8 below.

[0040] A valve plate 50 can be positioned between the battery module m housed inside the housing 10 and the venting channel 40. The valve plate 50 can be configured to rupture and open when gas is released from the battery module m. That is, the valve plate 50 can function as a valve whose opening and closing are controlled depending on whether or not gas is released. For example, a number of valve plates 50 can be formed corresponding to each battery module m. The valve plates 50 can be positioned parallel to the first plate 21 and perpendicular to the second plate 22. The valve plates 50 are controlled independently according to the gas release state of the corresponding battery module m, so that even if gas is released from one battery module m and the corresponding valve plate 50 ruptures and opens, the valve plates of adjacent battery modules m can remain closed.

[0041] The discharge section 60 can be formed in the housing 10. The discharge section 60 may include a plurality of discharge holes formed on one side of the housing 10. The discharge section 60 can be configured to discharge the gas flowing through the venting channel 40 to the outside of the housing 10.

[0042] Figure 2 shows a coupled perspective view of the battery pack 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0043] Referring to Figure 2, multiple battery modules are arranged in the internal space of the housing 10, and a venting cover 30 is coupled to the housing 10 and can cover the top of the battery modules. Separation plates 20 are located between the battery modules and can prevent or reduce heat transfer between them. Venting channels 40 are coupled to the side of the housing 10 and can form a flow path for gas released from the battery modules. A discharge section 60, including multiple discharge holes, is formed on the other side of the housing 10 and can be provided to discharge the gas that has flowed through the venting channels 40 to the outside of the housing 10.

[0044] Figures 3 and 4 show the shape of the venting cover 30 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, respectively. Figure 3 is an upper plan view of the venting cover 30, and Figure 4 shows a partial perspective view obtained by cutting along the cutting line A-A' in Figure 3.

[0045] Referring to Figures 3 to 4, the venting cover 30 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention may include a cover body 31 and a separation projection 32. The cover body 31 may have slits 33 through which gas released from the battery module can pass. Multiple slits 33 may be formed and arranged parallel to each other at a predetermined distance apart.

[0046] The separation projection 32 can be formed to protrude from the bottom surface of the cover body 31. The separation projection 32 can be provided to isolate the spaces in which adjacent battery modules are housed, so as to prevent gas from being transmitted to adjacent battery modules when gas is released from one battery module. Therefore, one separation projection 32 can abut against the upper parts of an adjacent pair of battery modules. The cross-sectional shape of the separation projection 32 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction can be formed in a U-shape. By adopting the configuration of the separation projection 32, adjacent battery modules m are spatially isolated, and even when heat and gas are released from one battery module m, the impact on adjacent battery modules m is greatly reduced, and the stability of the entire battery pack can be greatly improved.

[0047] The venting cover may further include a guide unit 34. The guide unit 34 may be formed to protrude from the cover body 31. The guide unit 34 may be formed on at least a portion of the periphery of a slit 33 formed in the cover body 31. The guide unit 34 may be formed to extend along the longitudinal direction of the slit 33. The guide unit 34 may be formed in a direction away from the slit. The guide units 34 may be formed on both sides of a single slit 33 in the longitudinal direction, and the directions in which the guide units 34 formed on both sides of a single slit 33 extend may be different from each other.

[0048] For example, the guide unit 34 may include a first guide unit 341 extending in one direction perpendicular to the cover body 31 and a second guide unit 342 extending in the opposite direction to the first guide unit 341. The first guide unit 341 and the second guide unit 342 may be arranged alternately with respect to each other, with the second guide unit 342 positioned between a pair of first guide units 341 and the first guide unit 341 positioned between a pair of second guide units 342. By adopting a configuration in which the first guide unit 341 and the second guide unit 342 intersect alternately and the separating projection 32 is formed in the shape of a U-shaped groove, the venting cover 30 can be manufactured by a press method. In other words, the ease of manufacturing the venting cover 30 can be greatly improved.

[0049] Figure 5 is a partial perspective view showing the valve plate 50 of a battery pack according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0050] Referring to Figure 5, the valve plate 50 of the battery pack according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention can be positioned between the battery module m housed in the housing and the venting channel 40 fastened to the side of the housing. The valve plate 50 can be ruptured and opened or kept closed depending on whether gas is released from the battery module m. When gas is released from the battery module m, the valve plate 50 ruptures and opens, allowing the gas released from the battery module m to flow into the venting channel 40. Here, the gas released from the battery module m can include all gas released from the top of the battery module m and gas released from the side of the battery module m.

[0051] In contrast, when no gas is being released from the battery module m, the valve plate 50 can remain closed. In this case, even if gas is released from an adjacent battery module m and flows through the venting channel 40, the valve plate 50 can prevent the gas from flowing in. Therefore, the overall stability of the battery pack can be greatly improved.

[0052] Figures 6 to 8 show the gas flow in a battery pack according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 6 is a side view showing the gas passing through the venting cover 30, Figure 7 is a top view of the battery pack, and Figure 8 is a side view showing the gas heading towards the venting channel 40.

[0053] Referring to Figures 6 to 8, when gas is generated from one of the multiple battery modules m housed in the housing 10, the gas can pass through the venting cover 30 that covers the upper side of the battery module m. Since most of the gas generated from the battery module m is released through the top of the module, most of the gas can flow through the venting cover 30. The gas can pass through the slits 33 formed in the venting cover 30. Here, the longitudinal direction of the slits 33 is formed toward the venting channel 40, and the gas passing through the venting cover 30 can be guided into the venting channel 40.

[0054] As the gas flows towards the venting channel 40, the valve plate 50 positioned between the battery module m and the venting channel 40 can be ruptured and opened. At this time, the valve plates 50 of adjacent battery modules other than the battery module m from which the gas is released, and of other battery modules, are kept closed, thereby preventing the inflow of gas flowing into the venting channel 40.

[0055] The gas from the battery module m can also be released through the side of the battery module m. In this case, the gas can pass through the ruptured valve plate 50 and flow directly toward the venting channel 40.

[0056] The gas flowing through the venting channel 40 can be discharged to the outside via a discharge section 60 formed on one side of the housing 10, after passing through a containment chamber 61 located inside the housing 10. The discharge section 60 may include a plurality of discharge holes formed through one side of the housing 10.

[0057] Embodiment 2 Figures 9 to 11 show enlarged perspective views of the battery pack according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0058] Embodiment 2 of the present invention may differ from Embodiment 1 in that it further includes a busbar 70 and an insulating unit 80. We will omit as much of the common content as possible with Embodiment 1 and describe Embodiment 2 focusing on the differences from Embodiment 1.

[0059] Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the shapes of the busbar 70 and the insulating unit 80 of the battery pack according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0060] Referring to Figure 9, the busbar 70 can be formed in the shape of a rectangular beam with a longitudinal direction. The busbar 70 can be provided to electrically connect adjacent battery modules to each other.

[0061] The insulating unit 80 can be formed on at least a portion of the busbar 70. For example, the insulating unit 80 can be formed in the longitudinal center of the busbar 70 and can be provided to wrap around the periphery of the central portion of the busbar 70.

[0062] Figure 10 is a partial schematic diagram showing the mounting configuration of the busbar 70 and insulation unit 80 of the battery pack according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0063] Referring to Figure 10, the busbar 70 of the battery pack according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention can be provided between adjacent battery modules m to electrically connect an adjacent pair of battery modules m. Both ends of the busbar 70 can electrically contact the battery modules.

[0064] The venting cover 30 can cover the battery module m and the upper side of the busbar 70 mounted on the battery module m. The venting cover 30 can be made of a metallic material so that it can be exposed to high-temperature gases as described above. Here, the insulating unit 80 can insulate the busbar 70 from the venting cover 30 so that the metallic venting cover 30 is electrically insulated from the busbar 70 and the battery module m. Therefore, the insulating unit 80 is placed between the venting cover 30 and the busbar 70 so that the venting cover 30 and the busbar 70 can be physically / electrically separated. For this purpose, the insulating unit 80 can be made of an insulator such as rubber.

[0065] Figure 11 shows a partial oblique view of the incision made along the incision line A-A' in Figure 10.

[0066] Referring to Figure 11, the insulating unit 80 can insulate the busbar 70 from the venting cover 30 by surrounding the central portion of the busbar 70. Here, the venting cover 30 can have a groove formed therein to accommodate the insulating unit 80.

[0067] The present invention can be provided as a secondary battery pack containing multiple secondary battery modules as described above.

[0068] In the above description, although the present invention is described by limited embodiments and drawings, the above description is merely illustrative in explaining the technical concept of the present invention, and various modifications and variations are possible for persons with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains, without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention.

[0069] Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in this invention are for illustrative purposes only, and not to limit the technical concept of the invention, and the scope of the technical concept of the invention is not limited by such embodiments. The scope of protection of this invention should be interpreted in accordance with the following claims, and all technical concepts within an equivalent scope should be interpreted as being included within the scope of the rights of this invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0070] 1 Battery Pack 10 Housing 20 Separation Plates 21 Plate 1 22 Second Plate 30 Venting Cover 31 Cover Body 32 Separation protrusion 33 slits 34 Guide Units 341 First Guide Unit 342 Second Guide Unit 40 Venting Channels 50 Valve Plate 60 Discharge section m Battery Module

Claims

1. Multiple battery modules, A housing for accommodating the aforementioned multiple battery modules, A venting cover is provided which is coupled to the housing and covers the battery module, and which guides the flow of gas released from the battery module. Includes, The aforementioned venting cover is A cover body having multiple slits formed therein to allow gas released from the battery module to pass through, To prevent gas movement between the plurality of battery modules, a separation projection is formed protruding from the bottom surface of the cover body, which isolates the plurality of battery modules. Includes a battery pack.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the separation projection is located between two adjacent battery modules.

3. The aforementioned venting cover is The battery pack according to claim 2, further comprising a guide unit formed on at least a portion of the periphery of the slit and extending away from the slit.

4. The battery pack according to claim 3, wherein the guide unit includes a first guide unit extending to one side of the cover body and a second guide unit extending to the other side of the cover body, and the first guide unit and the second guide unit are arranged alternately.

5. The battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a separation plate disposed between the plurality of battery modules to prevent heat transfer between the plurality of battery modules.

6. The aforementioned separation plate is A first plate extending from one end to the other end of the housing, Multiple second plates positioned perpendicular to the first plate, The battery pack according to claim 5, including the following:

7. The battery pack according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of second plates are arranged parallel to each other at predetermined intervals, and the battery modules are located between adjacent second plates.

8. The battery pack according to claim 1, further comprising venting channels arranged on both sides of the housing, through which gas passing through the slits can flow into the interior.

9. The battery pack according to claim 8, further comprising a valve plate disposed between the battery module and the venting channel, the valve plate being capable of rupturing and opening when the gas is released from the battery module.

10. The battery pack according to claim 9, wherein the valve plate is provided to block the gas flowing through the venting channel from entering the battery module when it is not ruptured and open.

11. The battery pack according to claim 8, wherein the housing is provided with a discharge section that discharges the gas flowing from the venting channel to the outside of the housing.

12. A busbar that electrically connects adjacent battery modules, An insulating unit that encloses a portion of the busbar to electrically insulate the busbar from the venting cover, The battery pack according to claim 1, further comprising:

13. The battery pack according to claim 12, wherein the insulating unit is provided in the longitudinal center of the busbar so as to wrap around the periphery of the busbar.

14. A battery device comprising a plurality of battery packs as described in claim 1.

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