Battery packs and automobiles containing them

Abstract

A battery pack and an automobile including the same are disclosed. A battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a battery module housing a plurality of battery cells and having a vent portion formed therein, and a pack case housing the battery module, wherein a flame exhaust channel may be formed between the battery module and the pack case adjacent to the vent portion of the battery module.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0101821, filed on August 3, 2023, and all of the content disclosed in the specification and drawings of the said application is incorporated into this application.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery pack and an automobile including the same, and more particularly, to a battery pack capable of preventing the propagation of flame or gas and an automobile including the same.

Background Art

[0003] As the development of technologies and the demand for mobile devices increase, the demand for secondary batteries as an energy source is rapidly increasing. Conventionally, nickel-cadmium batteries or hydrogen-ion batteries have been used as secondary batteries, but recently, lithium secondary batteries that have almost no memory effect compared to nickel-based secondary batteries, are free of charge and discharge, have a very low self-discharge rate, and have a high energy density are widely used.

[0004] Such lithium secondary batteries mainly use lithium-based oxides and carbon materials as the positive electrode active material and the negative electrode active material, respectively. A lithium secondary battery includes an electrode assembly in which a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate coated with such a positive electrode active material and a negative electrode active material are disposed with a separator interposed therebetween, and an exterior material, that is, a battery case, for sealing and storing the electrode assembly together with an electrolyte.

[0005] A lithium secondary battery is composed of a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator interposed therebetween, and an electrolyte, and is classified into a lithium-ion battery (LIB), a polymer lithium-ion battery (PLIB), etc., depending on the positive electrode active material and the negative electrode active material used. Usually, the electrodes of these lithium secondary batteries can be formed by applying a positive electrode active material or a negative electrode active material to a current collector such as an aluminum or copper sheet, mesh, film, foil, etc. and drying it.

[0006] Lithium-ion batteries have attracted attention due to their advantages such as high operating voltage and significantly higher energy density. However, because they use organic electrolytes, overcharging can induce overcurrent and overheating, potentially causing explosions or fires.

[0007] Various types of rechargeable batteries may include battery modules, in which multiple battery cells are stacked and housed in a case that can protect the battery cells, and battery packs, in which multiple battery modules are housed.

[0008] If a thermal event occurs in any battery cell in a battery module, and a flame develops in at least one of the battery cells, the flame may propagate to other battery cells that are not currently burning.

[0009] Thus, if a flame originating in any battery cell propagates to other adjacent battery cells, the chain reaction of flames can damage not only the battery cells but also the battery module or battery pack, potentially leading to complete destruction, explosion, or even an inability to ensure the safety of the battery module or battery pack. Furthermore, if gases are generated from the battery cells inside the battery module and these gases are released in undesirable directions, it can cause a variety of problems.

[0010] Alternatively, if flames generated in a battery cell leak out of the battery module's casing, the flames could spread to other battery modules that are not currently burning, potentially creating a dangerous situation for the user. For example, if a battery module or battery pack is installed in an electric vehicle and flames emanate from a battery cell, the driver of the electric vehicle could suffer burns or be placed in a dangerous situation. [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0011] The present invention aims to provide a battery pack and an automobile including it that can prevent the propagation of flames or gases to other adjacent battery cells by venting the flames or gases generated in any battery cell inside the battery module in a predetermined direction.

[0012] Another objective is to provide a battery pack and an automobile including it that can prevent the propagation of flames or gases to adjacent battery modules by venting the flames or gases generated in any battery cell inside the battery module in a predetermined direction.

[0013] Another objective is to provide a battery pack and an automobile including it that can ensure the safety of the battery module or battery pack by reducing the probability of thermal events through cooling of the battery cells.

[0014] However, the technical problems that this invention aims to solve are not limited to those described above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description of the invention. [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] According to one aspect of the present invention, a battery pack may be provided that includes a battery module housing a plurality of battery cells and having a vent portion formed therein, and a pack case housing the battery module, wherein a flame exhaust channel is formed between the battery module and the pack case adjacent to the vent portion of the battery module.

[0016] In one embodiment, the vent may be formed below the battery module.

[0017] In one embodiment, the battery module includes a lower frame, the lower frame having a projection, and the flame exhaust channel may be provided in a flame exhaust space formed between the battery module and the pack case by the projection.

[0018] In one embodiment, the protrusion may include a pair of first protrusions formed on both edges of the lower frame, a second protrusion formed between the pair of first protrusions parallel to the pair, and a third protrusion formed to intersect with the second protrusion.

[0019] In one embodiment, the battery cell is a cylindrical battery cell, and the lower frame has a mounting section having a circular cross-section in which the cylindrical battery cell is arranged, and a vent section may be formed in the mounting section.

[0020] In one embodiment, the arrangement portion includes a side-down support portion that supports the lower side of the cylindrical battery cell and a bottom support portion that supports the bottom surface of the cylindrical battery cell, and the bottom support portion may have a vent portion that ruptures at a predetermined temperature or pressure range.

[0021] In one embodiment, when a thermal event occurs in a cylindrical battery cell and the temperature or pressure exceeds a predetermined level, the bottom support portion ruptures, and the flame generated when the thermal event occurs can move through the ruptured bottom support portion into a flame discharge space and be discharged.

[0022] In one embodiment, a cooling fluid is contained inside the battery module, and a waterproof adhesive may be provided in the mounting area to prevent leakage of the cooling fluid.

[0023] In one embodiment, a cooling fluid is contained inside the battery module, and multiple battery cells may be configured to be impregnated with the cooling fluid.

[0024] In one embodiment, the cooling fluid may include cooling water or insulating oil.

[0025] In one embodiment, the battery module includes an intermediate frame and a lower frame, and the cooling fluid is accommodated between the intermediate frame and the lower frame and can directly contact a plurality of battery cells.

[0026] In one embodiment, a waterproof adhesive may be provided above the intermediate frame to prevent leakage of the cooling fluid.

[0027] In one embodiment, the waterproof adhesive may be an epoxy-based waterproof resin.

[0028] In one embodiment, the waterproof resin may be made of a flame-retardant material.

[0029] In one embodiment, the waterproof resin is composed of a phase change material (PCM) and may be provided to cool a plurality of battery cells.

[0030] In addition, according to another aspect of the present invention, an automobile including the aforementioned battery pack may be provided.

Advantages of the Invention

[0031] In an embodiment of the present invention, when flames or gas are generated in any battery cell inside the battery module, the flames or gas can be discharged in a preset direction to prevent the propagation of the flames or gas to other adjacent battery cells.

[0032] Also, when flames or gas are generated in any battery cell inside the battery module, the flames or gas can be discharged in a preset direction to prevent the propagation of the flames or gas to an adjacent battery module.

[0033] In addition, by reducing the probability of thermal events through cooling of the battery cells, the safety of the battery module or the battery pack can be ensured.

[0034] Furthermore, downward venting can improve the safety of drivers operating electric vehicles.

[0035] However, the technical problems that this invention aims to solve are not limited to those described above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description of the invention.

[0036] The following drawings accompanying this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention, serve to further illustrate the technical idea of ​​the invention. Therefore, the present invention should not be construed as being limited solely to what is shown in the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0037] [Figure 1] This diagram schematically shows a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of the combined battery modules in a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is an exploded perspective view of a battery module in a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] Figure 2 shows the battery module from the side, with the protruding parts visible. [Figure 5] Figure 2 shows the bottom view, illustrating the protrusions formed on the lower frame. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view showing how the battery module is connected to the lower case in a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, and is shown schematically for illustrative purposes. [Figure 7] Figure 6 shows how a fracture occurs in the bottom support section of the lower frame, causing the flames to move. [Figure 8] This is an enlarged view of section A in Figure 3. [Figure 9]Figure 8 shows a fracture occurring in one of the bottom support sections of the lower frame of the battery module. [Figure 10] This is a diagram illustrating an automobile including a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0038] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Prior to this, terms and words used in this specification and in the claims should not be interpreted in a manner limited to their usual or dictionary meanings, but rather in a manner appropriate to the technical idea of ​​the present invention, in accordance with the principle that the inventor himself may appropriately define the concept of terms in order to best describe the invention. Accordingly, the embodiments described herein and the configurations shown in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent the entirety of the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and it should be understood that there are various equivalents and modifications that can be substituted thereat the time of this application.

[0039] The size of each component or specific part of a component in the drawings may be exaggerated, omitted, or shown schematically for the sake of clarity and ease of explanation. Therefore, the size of each component may not fully reflect its actual size. Specific descriptions of known functions or configurations related to the present invention will be omitted if they are deemed to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the invention.

[0040] As used herein, the terms “joining” or “connecting” include not only cases where one member is directly joined or directly connected to another member, but also cases where one member is indirectly joined or indirectly connected to another member via a connecting member.

[0041] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Referring to Figure 1, a battery pack 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention may consist of a battery module 100 and a pack case 200.

[0043] Figure 2 is a coupled perspective view of a battery module provided in a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a battery module provided in a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the battery module 100 may include a plurality of battery cells 110 and a module frame 120. An enlarged view of Figure 3 shows the bottom surface of the waterproof adhesive 140.

[0045] The module frame 120 of the battery module 100 houses multiple battery cells 110, and a vent section 127 (see Figure 6), which will be described later, is formed. Here, one or more battery modules 100 may be provided. When multiple battery modules 100 are provided, they can be arranged in various ways. For example, as shown in Figure 1, the battery modules 100 may be arranged in the horizontal direction. Alternatively, the battery modules 100 may be arranged in both the horizontal and vertical directions, but are not limited to these.

[0046] Here, the battery module 100 may include various types of battery cells 110. For example, the battery module 100 may include pouch-type battery cells 110, prismatic battery cells 110, or cylindrical battery cells 110, but for the sake of explanation, the following description will focus on the case where the battery cells 110 are cylindrical, as shown in Figure 3.

[0047] The cylindrical battery cell 110 may include an electrode assembly, a battery casing, a positive electrode current collector plate, cell terminals, and a negative electrode current collector plate.

[0048] The electrode assembly has a structure in which a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, and a separator membrane interposed between the positive and negative electrode plates are wound in one direction, and is formed as a jelly roll type with a central hole. For example, the electrode assembly can be manufactured by winding up a laminate formed by stacking a negative electrode plate, separator membrane, positive electrode plate, and separator membrane at least once in that order. The central hole of the electrode assembly can also be used for welding the cell terminal and the positive electrode current collector plate. That is, it can be configured to weld the cell terminal and the positive electrode current collector plate by irradiating a laser from the central hole of the electrode assembly. The positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate can be formed in sheet form. The positive electrode plate has positive electrode active material coated on one or both sides, and there may be a first uncoated area at the end of the positive electrode plate where the positive electrode active material is not coated. The negative electrode plate has negative electrode active material coated on one or both sides, and there may be a second uncoated area at the end of the negative electrode plate where the negative electrode active material is not coated. That is, at least one of the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate may each include an uncoated portion at the long edge in the winding direction where the active material is not applied. The uncoated portion is exposed to the outside of the separation membrane by forming multiple winding turns with respect to the center of the electrode assembly and can be used as an electrode tab. Here, the first uncoated portion and the second uncoated portion may be configured to face in opposite directions. However, the electrode assembly does not necessarily have to have an uncoated portion. Furthermore, any active material known in the art can be used without limitation as the positive electrode active material applied to the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode active material applied to the negative electrode plate. The separation membrane can be made of porous polymer films, such as ethylene homopolymer, propylene homopolymer, ethylene / butene copolymer, ethylene / hexene copolymer, or ethylene / methacrylate copolymer, either alone or in a laminated configuration. As another example, the separation membrane may be made of a conventional porous nonwoven fabric, such as a high-melting-point glass fiber or polyethylene terephthalate fiber. At least one surface of the separation membrane may include a coating layer of inorganic particles. Alternatively, the separation membrane itself may consist of a coating layer of inorganic particles. The particles constituting the coating layer may have a structure in which they are bound to a binder such that interstitial volume exists between adjacent particles.

[0049] The battery casing may house an electrode assembly and have through-holes. For example, the battery casing may be cylindrical, with the electrode assembly housed inside and electrically connected to the negative electrode plate of the electrode assembly. This allows the battery casing to have the same polarity as the negative electrode plate, i.e., a negative electrode.

[0050] The positive electrode current collector plate is electrically connected to the positive electrode plate, for example, at the top of the electrode assembly. For example, the positive electrode current collector plate may be made of a conductive metallic material and be electrically connected to the first uncoated portion of the positive electrode plate.

[0051] The cell terminals are made of a conductive metal material and are electrically connected to the positive electrode current collector plate through a through-hole in the battery case. The cell terminals are then electrically connected to the positive electrode plate of the electrode assembly by the positive electrode current collector plate, thereby giving them positive polarity.

[0052] The negative electrode current collector plate is electrically connected to the negative electrode plate, for example, at the bottom of the electrode assembly. For example, the negative electrode current collector plate may be made of a conductive metallic material such as aluminum, steel, copper, or nickel, and may be electrically connected to the second uncoated portion of the negative electrode plate.

[0053] Referring to Figure 3, the module frame 120 houses multiple battery cells 110. A vent section 127 is formed in the module frame 120. The vent section 127 can be formed in various locations. For example, the vent section 127 can be formed on the underside of the battery module 100 (see Figure 6), but is not limited to this. A detailed explanation of the vent section 127 will be given later.

[0054] Referring to Figure 3, the module frame 120 may include a lower frame 121 and an intermediate frame 128.

[0055] The lower frame 121 is connected to the intermediate frame 128 at its lower part. The lower parts of the cylindrical battery cells 110 are then placed on the lower frame 121. That is, the lower part of each of multiple cylindrical battery cells 110 can be inserted into and supported by the lower frame 121. Furthermore, as will be described in detail later, a cooling fluid 130 can be contained between the intermediate frame 128 and the lower frame 121.

[0056] The intermediate frame 128 supports a portion of the cylindrical battery cell 110. The intermediate frame 128 supports the cylindrical battery cell 110 above the position supported by the lower frame 121. Here, multiple cylindrical battery cells 110 can be inserted into and supported by the intermediate frame 128. The intermediate frame 128 can then be coupled to the lower frame 121. As will be described in detail later, a waterproof adhesive 140 may be provided above the intermediate frame 128.

[0057] Referring to Figure 1, the pack case 200 houses at least one battery module 100. The pack case 200 may consist of, for example, a lower case 210, a side case 220, and an upper case 230. The lower case 210 is configured to accommodate at least one battery module 100. The lower case 210 may be formed in the shape of a rectangular plate, but is not limited thereto. The lower case 210 forms the bottom of the pack case 200. The side case 220 may be configured to extend upward from the edge of the lower case 210. The side case 220 determines the height of the pack case 200 and forms a predetermined space between it and the lower case 210. At least one battery module 100 is then placed in the space between the side case 220 and the lower case 210. The side case 220 may include a long side frame with a relatively long length and a short side frame with a relatively short length. Alternatively, the side cases 220 may include side frames of the same length, and the top case 230 may be joined to the side cases 220.

[0058] The flame exhaust channel 300 is formed between the battery module 100 and the pack case 200 so as to be adjacent to the vent portion 127 of the battery module 100. The flame exhaust channel 300 will be described in detail below.

[0059] Figure 4 is a side view of the battery module in Figure 2, showing the protruding portion, and Figure 5 is a bottom view of Figure 2, showing the protruding portion formed on the lower frame.

[0060] Referring to Figures 4 and 5, a projection 122 is formed on the lower frame 121 of the module frame 120. Here, the projection 122 can be formed in various ways. For example, the projection 122 may include a first projection 122a, a second projection 122b, and a third projection 122c. The first projection 122a may be provided in a pair, and the pair of first projections 122a are formed on both edges of the lower frame 121, respectively. The second projection 122b is formed parallel to the pair of first projections 122a and between the pair of first projections 122a. Here, the second projection 122b may be formed at the exact center of the pair of first projections 122a, but is not limited to this, and can be formed at various positions between the pair of first projections 122a. Also, the second projection 122b may be formed parallel to the pair of first projections 122a, but is not limited to this. The third projection 122c is formed to intersect with the second projection 122b. Here, the third projection 122c may, but is not limited to, be formed to pass through the exact center of the second projection 122b, and may be formed to pass through various positions on the second projection 122b. Also, the third projection 122c may, but is not limited to, be formed perpendicular to the second projection 122b.

[0061] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which the battery module is coupled to the lower case, and is shown schematically for illustrative purposes. Figure 7 is a diagram showing how the bottom support portion of the lower frame breaks and the flame moves in Figure 6.

[0062] Referring to Figures 6 and 7, when a protrusion 122 is formed on the lower frame 121, when the lower frame 121 is housed in the lower case 210 of the pack case 200, the protrusion 122 of the lower frame 121 comes into contact with the lower case 210, so that a space of a predetermined range is formed between any one protrusion 122 and an adjacent protrusion 122.

[0063] For example, a space of a predetermined range is formed between the first protrusion 122a and the second protrusion 122b, and in this way, flames can be discharged through the space formed between the lower frame 121 of the battery module 100 and the lower case 210 of the pack case 200 by the protrusions 122a, 122b, and 122c. Gases generated in the battery cell 110 can also be discharged through the same space as the flames. In the following, please understand that gases are discharged in the same manner as flames without further mention. That is, the space formed between the lower frame 121 of the battery module 100 and the lower case 210 of the pack case 200 by the protrusions 122a, 122b, and 122c becomes a flame discharge space 310 through which flames are discharged. Here, a flame discharge channel 300 in one embodiment of the present invention may be provided in the aforementioned flame discharge space 310.

[0064] As mentioned above, the vent section 127 can be formed at the bottom of the battery module 100. Referring to Figures 6 and 7, when the vent section 127 is formed at the bottom of the battery module 100, if a thermal event occurs in the battery cell 110, the flame is discharged downwards from the battery module 100. In this way, when the flame is discharged downwards from the battery module 100, the flame moves away from the driver operating the electric vehicle, thus improving driver safety.

[0065] Here, in order to discharge the flame downwards from the battery module 100, a vent section 127 is formed at the bottom of the battery module 100, and a flame discharge channel 300, which is provided as a flame discharge space 310 for discharging the flame moving downwards from the vent section 127 to the battery module 100, may be formed between the lower frame 121 and the lower case 210. That is, as shown in Figure 7, when a thermal event occurs in the battery cell 110, the vent section 127 ruptures (see P in Figure 7), causing the flame to move through the vent section 127 to the flame discharge channel 300 between the lower frame 121 and the lower case 210, and is discharged to the outside through a vent path provided in the pack case 200.

[0066] This prevents the spread of flames or gases to other adjacent battery cells 110 by venting the flames or gases in a predetermined direction if any battery cell 110 inside the battery module 100 generates a flame or gas.

[0067] Figure 8 is an enlarged view of section A in Figure 3, and Figure 9 shows a fracture occurring in one of the bottom support sections of the lower frame of the battery module in Figure 8.

[0068] The vent section 127 will be described in detail below.

[0069] Referring to Figures 6 and 8, the lower frame 121 of the module frame 120 may have a placement section 123 in which cylindrical battery cells 110 are arranged. Here, the placement section 123 may, but is not limited to, have a circular cross-section in which cylindrical battery cells 110 are arranged. For example, it may be provided as a polygonal shape formed to be larger than the diameter of the cylindrical battery cell 110.

[0070] Here, the placement section 123 may include a side-down support section 124 and a bottom support section 125. The side-down support section 124 supports the lower side of the cylindrical battery cell 110. The bottom support section 125 supports the bottom of the cylindrical battery cell 110. That is, when the cylindrical battery cell 110 is inserted into the placement section 123, the lower side and bottom of the cylindrical battery cell 110 can be supported by the placement section 123. Here, the bottom support section 125 of the placement section 123 may have a vent section 127 that ruptures at a predetermined temperature or pressure range. There are various ways in which the bottom support section 125 ruptures. The entire or a part of the bottom support section 125 supporting the battery cell 110 where a thermal event has occurred may rupture due to pressure. Alternatively, the entire or a part of the bottom support section 125 may be removed by melting due to heat.

[0071] For this purpose, the bottom support portion 125 may be made from a material that melts at a preset temperature, or from a material that ruptures or breaks at a preset pressure. For example, as shown in Figure 6, a break groove 126 may be formed in the bottom support portion 125 so that it can be easily removed. In this case, the vent portion 127 may be formed by the break groove 126.

[0072] However, although not limited to this, it is also possible to make it more prone to tearing by, for example, making one side of the bottom support portion 125 thinner.

[0073] Referring to Figures 7 and 9, if a thermal event occurs in the cylindrical battery cell 110 and the temperature or pressure exceeds a preset level, the bottom support portion 125 ruptures (see P in Figures 7 and 9), allowing the flame or gas generated during the thermal event to move from the cylindrical battery cell 110 through the ruptured bottom support portion 125 into the flame discharge space 310 and be discharged.

[0074] On the other hand, referring to Figures 6 and 7, a cooling fluid 130 can be housed inside the battery module 100. The cooling fluid 130 is configured to cool a plurality of battery cells 110, and the plurality of battery cells 110 can be impregnated with the cooling fluid 130. For example, the cooling fluid 130 can be housed between the intermediate frame 128 and the lower frame 121 of the module frame 120.

[0075] Multiple battery cells 110 are then inserted into the intermediate frame 128 and placed on the lower frame 121, where they are impregnated with a cooling fluid 130, allowing the cooling fluid 130 to come into direct contact with the multiple battery cells 110. In other words, the cooling fluid 130 comes into direct contact with the multiple battery cells 110 and cools them directly, thus improving cooling efficiency. The cooling fluid 130 may be, but is not limited to, cooling water or insulating oil.

[0076] When the cooling fluid 130 is contained between the intermediate frame 128 and the lower frame 121, leakage of the cooling fluid 130 can be a problem. Referring to Figure 6, a waterproof adhesive 140 may be provided above the intermediate frame 128 to prevent leakage of the cooling fluid 130. Although not shown in Figure 6, when the intermediate frame 128 is molded with the waterproof adhesive 140 that has been potted, the upper case 230 of the pack case 200 may be covered with the waterproof adhesive 140. Here, potting refers to a method of packaging in which the waterproof adhesive 140 is dropped onto the intermediate frame 128 and allowed to harden.

[0077] Furthermore, the arrangement section 123 may also be provided with a waterproof adhesive 150 to prevent leakage of the cooling fluid 130. In Figure 3, the waterproof adhesives 140 and 150 are shown as having a fixed shape, but this is merely shown for the sake of explanation, corresponding to the cylindrical battery cell 110.

[0078] Here, the waterproof adhesives 140 and 150 can be of various types. For example, the waterproof adhesives 140 and 150 are epoxy-based waterproof resins, and may be hybrid resins, for example.

[0079] In the modified embodiment, the waterproof resin may consist of various flame-retardant materials. When the waterproof resin is made of a flame-retardant material, a flame ignited in any one cylindrical battery cell 110 is blocked by the flame-retardant waterproof resin and cannot move, thus preventing its propagation to other adjacent cylindrical battery cells 110. However, the waterproof resin does not need to be applied to the vent portion 127 that is to be ruptured by flames or gas.

[0080] In further modified embodiments, the waterproof resin may include a Phase Change Material (PCM) to cool multiple battery cells 110.

[0081] A phase-change material is a material that absorbs and stores heat when it changes from a solid to a liquid, and releases the stored heat when it changes from a liquid to a solid. When a thermal event occurs and heat is generated in the cylindrical battery cell 110, the waterproof resin of the phase-change material can absorb the heat generated from the cylindrical battery cell 110 and change into a liquid, thereby cooling the cylindrical battery cell 110. Thus, the waterproof resin has the effects of waterproofing, preventing the propagation of flames, and cooling the cylindrical battery cell 110.

[0082] However, in order to prevent leakage of the cooling fluid 130, waterproof adhesives 140 and 150 are not necessarily the only ones used; various forms of sealing members may be used.

[0083] Figure 10 is a diagram illustrating an automobile including a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0084] Referring to Figure 10, an automobile 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include the aforementioned battery pack 10. That is, a battery pack 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention may be applied to an automobile 20, for example, a predetermined automobile designed to use electricity, such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle.

[0085] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and of course, a wide range of modifications and variations are possible within the equivalent scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention and the following claims by persons with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains.

[0086] In this specification, terms indicating direction such as up, down, left, right, front, and back are used. However, such terms indicate relative positions and are used only for the convenience of explanation. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that these positions can change depending on the position of the object in question, the observer's position, etc. [Industrial applicability]

[0087] The present invention relates to a battery pack and an automobile including the same, and is particularly applicable to the secondary battery industry.

Claims

1. A battery module containing multiple battery cells and having a vent section formed therein, The pack case in which the aforementioned battery module is housed includes, A battery pack in which a flame exhaust channel is formed between the battery module and the pack case so as to be adjacent to the vent portion of the battery module.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1, characterized in that the vent portion is formed below the battery module.

3. The battery module includes a lower frame, and the lower frame has a protrusion formed thereon. The battery pack according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the flame exhaust channel is provided in the flame exhaust space formed between the battery module and the pack case by the protrusion.

4. The aforementioned protrusion is A pair of first protrusions are formed on both edges of the lower frame, A second protrusion is formed between the pair of first protrusions, parallel to the pair of first protrusions, The battery pack according to claim 3, further comprising a third protrusion formed to intersect with the second protrusion.

5. The aforementioned battery cell is a cylindrical battery cell, The lower frame has a circular section in which the cylindrical battery cells are arranged. The battery pack according to claim 3, characterized in that the vent portion is formed in the arrangement portion.

6. The aforementioned arrangement section is, A side-down support portion that supports the lower side of the cylindrical battery cell, The cylindrical battery cell includes a bottom support portion that supports the bottom surface of the battery cell, The battery pack according to claim 5, characterized in that the bottom support portion is formed with a vent portion that breaks at a predetermined temperature or pressure range.

7. When a thermal event occurs in the cylindrical battery cell and the temperature or pressure exceeds a predetermined level, the bottom support portion ruptures. The battery pack according to claim 6, characterized in that the flame generated when the aforementioned thermal event occurs moves through the fractured bottom support portion to the flame discharge space and is discharged.

8. The battery module contains a cooling fluid inside, The battery pack according to claim 6, characterized in that the aforementioned arrangement portion is provided with a waterproof adhesive to prevent leakage of the cooling fluid.

9. The battery pack according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a cooling fluid is contained inside the battery module, and the plurality of battery cells are configured to be impregnated with the cooling fluid.

10. The battery pack according to claim 9, characterized in that the cooling fluid includes cooling water or insulating oil.

11. The battery module includes an intermediate frame and a lower frame, The battery pack according to claim 9, characterized in that the cooling fluid is contained between the intermediate frame and the lower frame and is in direct contact with the plurality of battery cells.

12. The battery pack according to claim 11, characterized in that a waterproof adhesive is provided above the intermediate frame to prevent leakage of the cooling fluid.

13. The battery pack according to claim 12, characterized in that the waterproof adhesive is an epoxy-based waterproof resin.

14. The battery pack according to claim 13, characterized in that the waterproof resin is made of a flame-retardant material.

15. The battery pack according to claim 13, characterized in that the waterproof resin is made of a phase change material and is provided to cool the plurality of battery cells.

16. An automobile comprising the battery pack according to claim 1 or 2.

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