Battery pack, automobile including the battery module

Abstract

One embodiment of the present invention relates to a battery pack comprising: a plurality of battery modules, each containing a plurality of battery cells; a pack case provided to house the plurality of battery modules; and a cartridge provided in the pack case, configured such that carbon dioxide stored inside is discharged toward the outside of the pack case.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack and an automobile including the battery module. More specifically, the present invention relates to a battery pack and an automobile capable of recognizing temperature and suppressing or extinguishing a flame generated outside the pack case.

[0002] This application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0073813 filed on June 8, 2023, and all the contents disclosed in the specification and drawings of the application are incorporated herein.

Background Art

[0003] Secondary batteries with high applicability for each product group and having electrical characteristics such as high energy density are generally applied not only to portable devices but also to electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), etc. driven by an electric drive source. Such secondary batteries not only have the primary advantage of dramatically reducing the use of fossil fuels but are also environmentally friendly in that they do not generate any by-products due to energy use and are attracting attention as a new energy source for improving energy efficiency.

[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 plurality of battery cells are connected in series to form a battery module or a battery pack. Also, in order to increase the charge / discharge capacity, a plurality of battery cells may be connected in parallel to form a battery module or a battery pack. Therefore, the number of battery cells included in a battery module or a pack is variously set according to the required output voltage or charge / discharge capacity.

[0005] On the other hand, when configuring a battery pack by connecting multiple battery cells in series or parallel, it is common practice to first configure a battery module containing at least one battery cell, and then add other components to at least one battery module to form a battery pack or battery rack.

[0006] In conventional battery packs, internal temperature can rise due to battery cell malfunctions or misuse, which can lead to an increase in internal pressure within the battery cells. This internal pressure causes the battery cells to vent, releasing high-temperature gases. This is extremely dangerous because the released high-temperature gases can spread to adjacent battery modules, potentially causing thermal runaway.

[0007] In particular, when gas is ejected from a battery cell, electrode plates and active material particles within the battery cell can be heated to high temperatures and expelled to the outside. Such high-temperature particles can appear in the form of sparks.

[0008] In conventional battery packs, when an abnormal condition occurs in a specific battery cell or battery module, high-temperature gases are expelled through a vent device provided in the pack case to the outside of the pack case. If sparks are expelled along with the gases, they may react with oxygen outside the battery pack to generate flames or spread into a fire. Furthermore, if flames or a fire occur outside a particular battery pack, the fire may spread to other adjacent battery packs or the equipment to which the battery pack is attached, potentially causing more serious problems such as explosions. In this case, if the flames generated outside the battery pack are not extinguished promptly, they may spread to other adjacent battery modules inside the battery pack.

[0009] Therefore, when a thermal event occurs in a specific battery cell or battery module, the battery pack needs to remove the fuel, oxygen, and heat that are the elements that cause flames, preventing high-temperature gases or sparks from reacting with oxygen outside the battery pack and generating flames. Furthermore, even if flames do occur, they need to be quickly suppressed to prevent or delay their spread to other battery modules. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0010] Therefore, the problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a battery pack that can guarantee safety and reliability by suppressing the generation of flames outside the pack case when there is an abnormal condition in the battery cells or battery modules, and an automobile including said battery pack.

[0011] However, the problems that this invention aims to solve are not limited to those described above, and other problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following explanation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] To solve the above-mentioned problems, one aspect of the present invention provides a battery pack comprising: a plurality of battery modules, each containing a plurality of battery cells; a pack case provided to house the plurality of battery modules; and a cartridge provided in the pack case, configured such that carbon dioxide stored inside is discharged toward the outside of the pack case.

[0013] The pack case includes a base frame that forms the lower surface of the pack case and on which a plurality of the battery modules are mounted, and a side frame that extends upward from the base frame and forms the outer surface of the pack case, wherein at least a portion of the cartridge can be coupled to the side frame.

[0014] Each of the multiple battery modules may include a thermistor for measuring the temperature of the gas generated in the battery module, and if the temperature of the gas measured by the thermistor is equal to or greater than a first value and the rate of temperature rise is equal to or greater than a second value, the carbon dioxide stored inside the cartridge may be discharged to the outside of the pack case.

[0015] For example, if the first value is 200°C and the second value is 1°C / second, carbon dioxide may be emitted from the cartridge.

[0016] The cartridge may include a cylinder section comprising a storage section having a space for storing carbon dioxide internally, and an exhaust section extending from the storage section from which carbon dioxide is discharged.

[0017] The diameter of the discharge section may be smaller than the diameter of the storage section.

[0018] The cartridge may further include an operating part connected to the cylinder portion, which is configured to discharge carbon dioxide from the cylinder portion when the temperature measured by the thermistor is equal to or greater than the first value and the rate of temperature rise is equal to or greater than the second value.

[0019] The operating unit may be provided in the space between the side frame and the plurality of battery modules.

[0020] The aforementioned pack case may be provided with a space inside for the operating part.

[0021] The battery pack may further include a temperature sensing sensor that measures the temperature of a flame generated outside the pack case, and may be configured to discharge carbon dioxide stored inside the cartridge to the outside of the pack case if the flame temperature measured by the temperature sensing sensor is a third value.

[0022] The temperature recognition sensor is provided on the side frame and can measure the temperature of the flame.

[0023] For example, when the third value is 800°C or higher and 1000°C or lower, carbon dioxide can be discharged from the cartridge.

[0024] The pack case is a vent device provided on the side frame and includes a vent device configured to discharge the gas generated by the battery module to the outside of the pack case. The cartridge can be configured such that the carbon dioxide stored therein is discharged to purge the oxygen around the vent device.

[0025] The cartridge can be arranged horizontally side by side with the vent device.

[0026] A plurality of the cartridges and vent devices are provided, and a plurality of units each consisting of one or more of the cartridges and one vent device are provided. The plurality of units can be provided symmetrically with respect to the center of the side frame.

[0027] The pack case further includes a cross beam that connects at least a part of the side frame and partitions between the plurality of battery modules. The plurality of units can be provided symmetrically on both sides with respect to the cross beam.

[0028] The pack case may further include a partition wall provided so as to extend from the cross beam and separate between the plurality of battery modules.

[0029] Another aspect of the present invention provides an automobile including a battery pack according to an aspect of the present invention.

Advantages of the Invention

[0030] According to one aspect of the present invention, safety and reliability can be guaranteed by eliminating elements that generate flames when there is an abnormal condition in the battery cell or battery module, thereby suppressing the generation of flames outside the pack case.

[0031] Furthermore, according to one aspect of the present invention, even if a flame occurs outside the pack case due to an abnormal condition of the battery cell or battery module, it can be quickly suppressed to prevent a chain reaction of fires.

[0032] Furthermore, according to one aspect of the present invention, even if a flame is generated outside the pack case due to an abnormal condition of a battery cell or battery module, it is possible to effectively ensure that other battery modules are not subjected to maximum thermal damage, thereby preventing thermal propagation within the pack.

[0033] In addition, the present invention can produce a variety of other effects. These will be described in each embodiment, but effects that can be easily inferred by those skilled in the art will not be described.

[0034] The following drawings accompanying this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and are intended to facilitate a better understanding of the technical concept of the invention, along with a detailed description of the invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the matters described in the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0035] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a battery pack assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of a disassembled battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This diagram illustrates the direction in which the cartridge operates in a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view along line A-A' in Figure 4. [Figure 6] This is a diagram illustrating the detailed structure of a cartridge according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This is a diagram illustrating the position of the operating part of a cartridge according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This is a diagram illustrating the position of the operating part of the cartridge according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This figure illustrates the position of a temperature recognition sensor in a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] A perspective view of an automobile containing a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0036] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. Prior to this, the terms and words used in this specification and in the claims are not to be limited to their general and dictionary meanings, but are to be described in terms and concepts that correspond to the technical idea of ​​the present invention, in accordance with the principle that the inventor himself may define the concepts of terms as appropriate in order to best describe the invention.

[0037] Therefore, the embodiments and illustrated configurations described herein represent only one of the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical concept of the invention. It should be understood that there are various equivalents and modifications that can substitute for them at the time of filing this application.

[0038] In the drawings, the size of each component or specific part of that component is exaggerated, omitted, or schematic for the sake of clarity and ease of explanation. Therefore, the size of each component does not solely reflect its actual size. Furthermore, if a specific description of a related known function or configuration is deemed to obscure the gist of the invention, such description is omitted. Moreover, in this specification, terms indicating direction are relative terms based on the illustrated components and may change depending on the orientation and position of the actual components.

[0039] On the other hand, the terms used in this specification to indicate directions, such as up, down, left, right, front, and back, are used merely for explanatory purposes and it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that they can change depending on the position of the object being examined, the position of the observer, and so on.

[0040] For example, in the embodiment of the present invention, the illustrated X-axis direction may mean the front-to-back direction, the Y-axis direction may mean the left-to-right direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction on the horizontal plane (XY plane), and the Z-axis direction may mean the up-and-down direction (vertical direction) perpendicular to both the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction.

[0041] Figure 1 is a coupled perspective view of a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 3 is a perspective view of a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Referring to Figures 1 to 3, a battery pack 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a battery module 100, a pack case 200, and a cartridge 300.

[0043] The battery module 100 may include a plurality of battery cells 110. The battery cells 110 can be any form of secondary battery, such as prismatic, cylindrical, or pouch-type battery cells. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the battery cells 110 are pouch-type battery cells.

[0044] The present invention is not limited by the specific type or form of such battery cell 110, and a variety of battery cells 110 known at the time of filing of the present invention may be used to constitute the battery module 100 of the present invention. In this embodiment, as shown in the figure, a pouch-type secondary battery with high energy density and easy stacking is targeted, but of course, cylindrical secondary batteries or prismatic secondary batteries can also be applied as battery cells 110.

[0045] Multiple battery cells 110 can be arranged in columns and rows within the battery module 100. For example, multiple battery cells 110 can be arranged side by side in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) while standing vertically (Z-axis direction), as shown in Figure 3.

[0046] Multiple battery modules 100 containing such battery cells 110 can be provided in a battery pack 10. For example, multiple battery modules 100 can be arranged in a line horizontally (in the X-axis and Y-axis directions), as shown in Figure 2.

[0047] A battery pack 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a pack case 200. The pack case 200 may be configured to house a plurality of battery modules 100. The structure of the pack case 200 will be described in detail later.

[0048] A battery pack 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a cartridge 300. The cartridge 300 may be configured to store carbon dioxide internally. The carbon dioxide may be stored in a liquid state inside the high-pressure cartridge 300. For example, the cartridge 300 may be a commercially available one used to inflate tires, such as those of a bicycle, by injecting carbon dioxide. The cartridge 300 may be used with an inflator or adapter.

[0049] The cartridge 300 may be provided in the pack case 200. The carbon dioxide stored inside the cartridge 300 may be configured to be discharged outwards from the pack case 200.

[0050] Specifically, carbon dioxide is heavier than oxygen and, when released onto a combustible material, forms a non-combustible layer on the surface of the combustible material, thereby blocking the supply of oxygen, one of the elements that generate flames. In addition, carbon dioxide has a very large latent heat of vaporization, so it can absorb a large amount of heat when it evaporates. Therefore, when a flame occurs, the carbon dioxide stored in liquid form inside the cartridge 300 is released to the outside of the cartridge 300 and vaporizes, absorbing heat from the surrounding air and cooling down to below the ignition point, thereby extinguishing the fire. In this embodiment, we focus on the storage of carbon dioxide inside the cartridge 300, but it goes without saying that other fire extinguishing agents can also be used.

[0051] According to this embodiment, safety and reliability can be guaranteed by blocking the supply of oxygen, which is an element that generates flames, and thereby suppressing the generation of flames outside the pack case 200.

[0052] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, by removing the heat that is the element that generates flames, even if flames occur outside the pack case 200, they can be extinguished by the carbon dioxide emitted from the cartridge 300, thus ensuring safety and reliability.

[0053] On the other hand, referring to Figure 2, the pack case 200 may include a base frame 210 and a side frame 220.

[0054] The base frame 210 may be provided to form the lower surface of the pack case 200. This allows multiple battery modules 100 to be mounted on the base frame 210. In this embodiment, the base frame 210 may be rectangular in shape.

[0055] The side frame 220 may be provided extending upward from each side of the base frame 210. The side frame 220 may be provided so as to surround a plurality of battery modules 100. For example, in this embodiment, the side frame 220 may include walls extending in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction.

[0056] At least a portion of the cartridge 300 can be coupled to the side frame 220 of the pack case 200. For example, as shown in Figure 2, at least a portion of the cartridge 300 can be coupled to the side frame 220 in the -Y axis direction. In this case, the cartridge 300 can be coupled so as to face outward from the pack case 200.

[0057] Referring to Figure 2, the pack case 200 may include a pack lid 230 configured to cover the top of the battery module 100.

[0058] On the other hand, with reference to Figure 3, a detailed structure of a battery module 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described. The battery module 100 according to this embodiment may include a case body 120 and end plates 130 disposed on the front and rear surfaces of the case body 120.

[0059] The case body 120 may be configured as a square tubular shape with a hollow structure, having open ends O at both ends in the longitudinal direction. For example, the case body 120 may be configured as a tube shape having a top surface, a bottom surface, a left side surface, and a right side surface, with openings formed at the front end and rear end, respectively.

[0060] Furthermore, the case body 120 can be configured in various other forms. For example, the case body 120 may be configured in a form in which the left side panel, right side panel, and bottom panel are integrated. In this case, the integrated case portion may also be called a U-frame. The U-frame may become tubular by welding a top plate to its upper surface. Alternatively, the case body 120 may include a lower case in the shape of a box, in which the left side panel, right side panel, front panel, and rear panel are integrated, and an upper cover that closes the upper open end of the lower case.

[0061] Furthermore, the case body 120 may be provided so that multiple battery cells 110 can be inserted into it along one direction. For example, multiple battery cells 110 can be inserted into it along the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction). That is, the case body 120 may be configured so that the battery cells 110 can be inserted into it by sliding or interlocking. Due to the interlocking connection, there may be almost no gap between the upper and lower surfaces of the case body 120 and the upper and lower ends of the battery cells 110, and there may also be almost no gap between both sides of the case body 120 and both sides of the battery cells 110.

[0062] Such a case body 120 may be made of a rigid and heat-resistant metal material in order to physically or chemically protect the housed battery cells 110.

[0063] On the other hand, the case body 120 is provided with vent holes H, enabling directional venting in one direction. As an example, as shown in Figure 3, multiple vent holes H are formed on the upper surface of the case body 120, allowing directional venting upwards of the battery module 100 through the vent holes H.

[0064] The end plate 130 may be provided so as to be able to be coupled to the open end O of the case body 120. The end plate 130 may include, for example, an insulating material on the inside (the side facing the open end O) and a metallic material on the outside (the side forming the exterior of the battery module 100). The end plate 130 may also have holes or slits in part to expose components that are exposed to the outside, such as the positive terminal, negative terminal, or connector of the battery module 100.

[0065] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the direction in which the cartridge operates in a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view along line A-A' in Figure 4.

[0066] Referring to Figures 3 to 5, each of the multiple battery modules 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a thermistor 140.

[0067] The thermistor 140 may be installed inside the battery module 100 and configured to measure the temperature of the battery module 100 itself and / or the temperature of the vent gas generated in the battery module 100. The thermistor 140 can determine whether or not a flame has been generated through the gas temperature it measures. For example, in one embodiment, the thermistor 140 may be attached to the upper surface of the battery module 100, which is provided with a vent hole H, as shown in Figure 3, to measure the temperature of the vent gas. However, the thermistor 140 may be installed in any position as long as it is possible to measure the temperature of the vent gas.

[0068] Specifically, in one embodiment of the present invention, when the temperature of the gas measured by the thermistor 140 reaches a first value, carbon dioxide stored inside the cartridge 300 can be discharged to the outside of the pack case 200. At the same time, when the rate of temperature rise of the gas measured by the thermistor 140 reaches a second value, carbon dioxide stored inside the cartridge 300 can be discharged to the outside of the pack case 200.

[0069] For example, when there is an abnormal condition in the battery cell 110 or the battery module 100, the temperature of the battery module 100 may be between 200°C and 300°C, and at the same time, the temperature of the battery module 100 may rise rapidly. If the temperature of the gas measured by the thermistor 140, i.e., the first value, is 200°C, and the rate of temperature rise of the gas measured by the thermistor 140, i.e., the second value, is 1°C / second, then carbon dioxide may be emitted from the cartridge 300.

[0070] According to this embodiment, in the event of an abnormal condition in the battery cell 110, the vent gas generated in the battery cell 110 is discharged to the outside of the pack case 200, and the risk of flame generation can be detected before it comes into contact with oxygen and diffuses into a flame. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the supply of oxygen, which is a flame-generating element, can be blocked in advance to prevent the generation of a flame.

[0071] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the detailed structure of a cartridge according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0072] The cartridge 300 may include a cylinder portion 310. The cylinder portion 310 may include a storage portion 311 having a space for storing carbon dioxide, and an exhaust portion 312 extending from the storage portion 311 for discharging carbon dioxide. As shown in Figure 5, the storage portion 311 may be coupled to a pack case 200, in which case the exhaust portion 312 may protrude from the outside of the pack case 200.

[0073] The diameter of the discharge section 312 may be smaller than the diameter of the storage section 311. This allows carbon dioxide to be quickly discharged from the discharge section 312 when a flame is generated outside the pack case 200. The discharge section 312 may be composed of a material with a lower melting point than the storage section 311. By having a melting point similar to that of the flame, the discharge section 312 can melt and discharge carbon dioxide when a flame is generated. According to this embodiment, the carbon dioxide quickly discharged from the cartridge 300 can instantaneously purge and remove vent gas and oxygen, which are one of the elements that generate flames, thereby suppressing the generation of flames.

[0074] Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating the position of the operating part of the cartridge according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0075] On the other hand, the cartridge 300 may further include an operating unit 320. The operating unit 320 is connected to the cylinder unit 310 and may be configured to discharge carbon dioxide from the cylinder unit 310 when the temperature of the gas measured by the thermistor 140 is equal to or greater than a first value and the rate of temperature rise is equal to or greater than a second value. The operating unit 320 may be configured in any way that discharges carbon dioxide from the cylinder unit 310.

[0076] According to the embodiment shown in Figure 7, the actuation unit 320 may be provided in the space between the side frame 220 and the plurality of battery modules 100. For example, a plurality of cylinder portions 310 may be provided, and a plurality of actuation units 320 may be provided so as to be connected to each of the plurality of cylinder portions 310. According to this embodiment, by individually connecting the plurality of actuation units 320 to the plurality of cylinder portions 310, carbon dioxide can be discharged from a specific cylinder portion 310 depending on the location where the flame is generated, thereby efficiently suppressing or quelling the generation of the flame.

[0077] Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating the position of the operating part of the cartridge according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0078] The pack case 200 may have a space inside for the operating unit 320. The side frame 220 or the cross beam 250 may have a space inside for the operating unit 320. For example, as shown in Figure 8, if a space for mounting the operating unit 320 is provided inside the cross beam 250, the operating unit 320 may be connected to cylinder portions 310 provided on both sides of the cross beam 250, and configured to discharge carbon dioxide from several cylinder portions 310 provided on both sides of the cross beam 250 if the temperature of the gas measured by the thermistor 140 is equal to or greater than a first value and the rate of temperature rise is equal to or greater than a second value.

[0079] According to this embodiment, since the operating unit 320 is connected to at least one of the cylinder units 310, if a flame occurs at a specific location, carbon dioxide can be discharged simultaneously from several cylinder units 310 to more quickly suppress or quell the flame.

[0080] Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating the position of the temperature recognition sensor in a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0081] Referring to Figure 9, a battery pack 10 according to another embodiment of the present invention may further include a temperature sensing sensor 400. The temperature sensing sensor 400 may be configured to measure the temperature of a flame generated outside the pack case 200. If the flame temperature measured by the temperature sensing sensor 400 is a third value, carbon dioxide stored inside the cartridge 300 may be discharged to the outside of the pack case 200.

[0082] For example, when a flame is generated, the temperature of the flame may be between 800°C and 1000°C. However, if the temperature of the flame measured by the temperature recognition sensor 400, i.e., the third value, falls between 800°C and 1000°C, the cartridge 300 may be configured to discharge carbon dioxide.

[0083] The temperature recognition sensor 400 may be provided on the side frame 220 of the pack case 200. For example, the temperature recognition sensor 400 may be provided alongside the cartridge 300. That is, the temperature recognition sensor 400 can directly measure the temperature of a flame generated outside the pack case 200 and quickly recognize that a flame has been generated.

[0084] Even if the gas temperature measured by the thermistor 140 is below the first value, or the rate of temperature rise is below the second value, flames may still be generated outside the pack case 200. According to this embodiment, even in such cases, the temperature recognition sensor 400 can quickly recognize the generation of flames, and the cartridge 300 can be activated to release carbon dioxide, thereby suppressing the flames.

[0085] On the other hand, referring to Figures 1 to 9, the pack case 200 may include a vent device 240. The vent device 240 may be configured to discharge gas generated in the battery module 100 to the outside of the pack case 200 when the battery module 100 is in an abnormal condition. Specifically, the vent gas generated in the battery module 100 can be discharged to the outside of the pack case 200 through the vent device 240.

[0086] When gas is ejected from the battery cell 110, electrode plates and active material particles inside the battery cell 110 may be heated to a high temperature and discharged to the outside. Such high-temperature particles may appear in the form of sparks. Such sparks may be discharged to the outside of the pack case 200 through the vent device 240 and react with oxygen outside the pack case 200 to generate a flame.

[0087] In this case, the cartridge 300 may be configured to release carbon dioxide stored inside and purge oxygen around the vent device 240. According to this embodiment, when a thermal event occurs in a specific battery cell 110 or battery module 100, the battery pack 10 can remove oxygen, which is one of the elements that cause flames, thereby suppressing the generation of flames by high-temperature gases or sparks reacting with oxygen outside the battery pack. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, even if flames do occur, they can be quickly suppressed, preventing the flames from spreading to the multiple battery modules inside the pack case.

[0088] The vent device 240 may be provided on the side frame 220 of the pack case 200. In Figures 2 and 4, the vent device 240 is shown on the right side (-Y axis direction) wall, but it may also be provided on the wall in the +Y axis direction. The vent device 240 may be provided on the side frame 220 for each row in which multiple battery modules 100 are arranged. According to this embodiment, when an abnormal condition occurs in the battery cell 110, high-temperature gas and sparks can be discharged in various directions from the pack case 200, making it easier to discharge the gas and other substances to the outside of the pack case 200.

[0089] The cartridge 300 can be positioned horizontally or vertically alongside the vent device 240. For example, as shown in Figures 3 and 5, the cartridge 300 can be positioned horizontally (in the X-axis direction) alongside the vent device 240. When an abnormal condition occurs in the battery cell 110, oxygen reacts with the high-temperature gas or sparks discharged through the vent device 240 to generate a flame. According to this embodiment, when a flame is generated, carbon dioxide is discharged from the cartridge 300, which is positioned alongside the vent device 240, to quickly suppress the flame.

[0090] Referring to Figure 2, multiple cartridges 300 and vent devices 240 may be provided. Furthermore, multiple units U, each consisting of one or more cartridges 300 and one vent device 240, may be provided. Figure 2 shows an embodiment in which each unit U is provided with one vent device 240 and one cartridge 300, but one vent device 240 and multiple cartridges 300 may also be provided.

[0091] Each of the multiple units U may be provided on the side frame 220 of the pack case 200. In this case, each of the multiple units U may be provided symmetrically with respect to the center of the side frame 220. According to this embodiment, the generation of flames can be easily suppressed or quelled by carbon dioxide emitted from the cartridge 300 contained in the unit U corresponding to the location of the gas or spark discharged to the outside of the pack case 200.

[0092] On the other hand, as shown in Figures 2 and 4, the pack case 200 may further include a crossbeam 250. The crossbeam 250 may be provided to connect at least a portion of the side frame 220. For example, as shown in Figure 2, the crossbeam 250 may extend in the Y-axis direction. In this case, the crossbeam 250 may partition the space between a plurality of battery modules 100. The plurality of battery modules 100 may be arranged side by side on both sides of the crossbeam 250 with respect to the crossbeam 250 inside the pack case 200. In this case, each of the plurality of units U may be provided symmetrically on both sides of the side frame 220 with respect to the crossbeam 250.

[0093] On the other hand, if the battery pack 10 of the present invention further includes a temperature recognition sensor 400, the temperature recognition sensor 400 may be provided between the vent device 240 and the cartridge 300, as shown in Figure 9. According to this embodiment, even if high-temperature gas or sparks are discharged from any of the vent devices 240 and a flame is generated, the temperature recognition sensor 400 provided alongside the vent device 240 recognizes the temperature of the flame, and the cartridge 300 provided together with the vent device 240 activates, thereby quickly suppressing the flame.

[0094] Furthermore, the pack case 200 may further include a partition wall 260. The partition wall 260 may be provided to separate a plurality of the battery modules 100. The partition wall 260 may extend from the cross beam 250. For example, as shown in Figure 2, the partition wall 260 may extend from the cross beam 250 in the X-axis direction. A plurality of partition walls 260 may be provided and spaced apart by a certain interval. According to this embodiment, by separating the plurality of battery modules 100 with the partition wall 260, it is possible to prevent heat from being transmitted to other battery modules 100 even if an abnormal condition occurs in one battery module 100.

[0095] Figure 10 is a perspective view of an automobile containing a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0096] Referring to Figure 10, an automobile 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include one or more battery packs 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. An automobile 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention may be, for example, an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, or a plug-in hybrid vehicle. The automobile 1 includes four-wheeled vehicles and two-wheeled vehicles. The automobile 1 operates by receiving power from a battery pack 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0097] Since the battery pack 10 has the various effects described above, the automobile 1 including the battery pack will also have similar effects. Specifically, the battery pack 10 can suppress the generation of flames outside the pack case 200 by eliminating elements that generate flames when there is an abnormal condition in the battery cells 110 or battery modules 100. Furthermore, even if flames do occur outside the pack case 200 when there is an abnormal condition in the battery cells 110 or battery modules 100, they can be quickly suppressed to prevent chain reactions, and the ability to prevent heat propagation within the pack can be effectively ensured by minimizing thermal damage to other battery modules 100. Therefore, the automobile 1 including such a battery pack 10 will also have advantages in terms of safety and reliability.

[0098] As described above, the present invention has been explained with limited embodiments and drawings, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited thereto, and that various modifications and variations are possible within the equivalent scope of the technical idea and claims of the present invention by persons with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0099] 1. Automobile 10 Battery Packs 100 Battery Modules 110 battery cells 120 Case Body 130 End Plate 140 Thermistor 200 pack case 210 Base Frame 220 Side Frame 230 pack lid 240 Vent Devices 250 Crossbeam 260 Bulkhead 300 cartridges 310 Cylinder section 311 Storage Section 312 Discharge section 320 Operating part 400 Temperature Sensing Sensor

Claims

1. Multiple battery modules containing multiple battery cells, A pack case provided to house multiple of the aforementioned battery modules, A battery pack comprising a cartridge provided in the pack case, configured such that carbon dioxide stored inside is discharged toward the outside of the pack case.

2. The aforementioned pack case is A base frame forming the lower surface of the pack case on which a plurality of the battery modules are mounted, It includes a side frame that extends upward from the base frame and forms the outer surface of the pack case, The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the cartridge is coupled to the side frame.

3. Each of the battery modules includes a thermistor for measuring the temperature of the gas generated in the battery module. The battery pack according to claim 2, wherein if the temperature of the gas measured by the thermistor is equal to or greater than a first value and the rate of temperature rise is equal to or greater than a second value, the battery pack is configured to discharge carbon dioxide stored inside the cartridge to the outside of the pack case.

4. The battery pack according to claim 3, configured to discharge carbon dioxide from the cartridge when the first value is 200°C and the second value is 1°C / second.

5. The aforementioned cartridge is The battery pack according to claim 3, comprising a cylinder portion including a storage portion having a space for storing carbon dioxide internally, and an exhaust portion extending from the storage portion from which carbon dioxide is discharged.

6. The battery pack according to claim 5, wherein the diameter of the discharge section is smaller than the diameter of the storage section.

7. The aforementioned cartridge is The battery pack according to claim 5, further comprising an operating part connected to the cylinder portion, configured to discharge carbon dioxide from the cylinder portion when the temperature measured by the thermistor is equal to or greater than the first value and the rate of temperature rise is equal to or greater than the second value.

8. The battery pack according to claim 7, wherein the operating unit is provided in the space between the side frame and the plurality of battery modules.

9. The battery pack according to claim 8, wherein the pack case is provided with a space inside for the operating part.

10. The system further includes a temperature sensing sensor that measures the temperature of a flame generated outside the pack case, The battery pack according to claim 3, wherein if the flame temperature measured by the temperature recognition sensor is a third value, the battery pack is configured to discharge carbon dioxide stored inside the cartridge to the outside of the pack case.

11. The battery pack according to claim 10, wherein the temperature recognition sensor is provided on the side frame and measures the temperature of the flame.

12. The battery pack according to claim 11, wherein when the third value is 800°C or more and 1000°C or less, carbon dioxide is discharged from the cartridge.

13. The aforementioned pack case is The side frame includes a vent device configured to discharge gas generated by the battery module to the outside of the pack case, The battery pack according to claim 10, wherein the cartridge is configured to release carbon dioxide stored inside and purge oxygen around the vent device.

14. The battery pack according to claim 13, wherein the cartridge is arranged horizontally alongside the venting device.

15. Multiple cartridges and vent devices are provided. Multiple units are provided, each consisting of one or more cartridges and one vent device. The battery pack according to claim 14, wherein each of the multiple units is arranged symmetrically with respect to the center of the side frame.

16. The aforementioned pack case is The system further includes crossbeams that connect at least a portion of the side frames and partition the spaces between the multiple battery modules, The battery pack according to claim 15, wherein each of the multiple units is provided symmetrically on both sides with respect to the crossbeam.

17. The aforementioned pack case is The battery pack according to claim 16, further comprising partitions extending from the crossbeam and provided to separate the plurality of battery modules.

18. An automobile comprising a battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

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