Battery packs and devices containing them

Abstract

A battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a pack frame on which a plurality of battery modules are mounted; at least one venting portion located on at least one side of the pack frame; and at least one sonic fire extinguishing portion located on the top of the pack frame, wherein the sonic fire extinguishing portion generates low frequencies in a direction from inside the pack frame toward the venting portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] (Cross - reference to related applications) This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10 - 2023 - 0140913 filed on October 20, 2023, and all the contents disclosed in the document of the Korean patent application are included as part of this specification.

[0002] (Technical Field) The present invention relates to a battery pack and a device including the same, and more specifically, to a battery pack and a device including the same, in which a sound wave fire extinguishing structure is formed in a pack frame, and when ignition occurs in a part of the modules inside the battery pack, it can promote and digest the discharge of gas and flame.

Background Art

[0003] Secondary batteries with high applicability according to product groups and having electrical characteristics such as high energy density are widely applied not only to portable devices but also to electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles driven by an electric drive source, power storage devices, etc. Such secondary batteries are not only noted for the primary advantage of significantly reducing the use of fossil fuels but also as a new energy source for environmental friendliness and improvement of energy efficiency in that no by - products are generated by the use of energy.

[0004] Current commercially available secondary batteries include nickel - cadmium batteries, nickel - metal hydride batteries, nickel - zinc batteries, lithium secondary batteries, etc. Among these, lithium secondary batteries are in the spotlight for the advantages of having almost no memory effect compared to nickel - based secondary batteries, being free of charge and discharge, having a very low self - discharge rate, and having a high energy density.

[0005] Generally, lithium secondary batteries can be classified into cylindrical or prismatic secondary batteries in which an electrode assembly is installed in a metal can according to the shape of the exterior material, and pouch - type secondary batteries in which an electrode assembly is installed in a pouch of an aluminum laminate sheet.

[0006] Recently, with the increasing need for large-capacity secondary battery structures, particularly for their use as energy storage sources, there has been a growing demand for medium-to-large-sized modular battery packs, which are assembled from battery modules in which numerous secondary batteries are connected in series or parallel. Such battery modules improve capacity and output by connecting numerous battery cells in series or parallel to each other, forming a battery cell stack. Furthermore, multiple battery modules can be assembled together with various control and protection systems, such as a Battery Management System (BMS) and a cooling system, to form a battery pack.

[0007] Because battery packs consist of a structure composed of numerous battery modules, the safety and operational efficiency of the battery pack can be compromised if some battery modules experience overvoltage, overcurrent, or overheating. In particular, as battery pack capacity tends to gradually increase to improve driving range, and the internal energy of the pack increases accordingly, it is necessary to design a structure that meets strengthened safety standards and ensures the safety of the vehicle and the driver.

[0008] Related to this, in order to prevent thermal runaway within the battery pack and heat transfer phenomena between battery cells, there has been a growing need in recent years to develop a battery pack that can effectively discharge and extinguish gases and flames generated from some battery cells, thereby minimizing the damage. [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0009] The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a battery pack and a device including the same, in which a sonic fire extinguishing structure is formed on the pack frame, and which can extinguish a fire while promoting the discharge of gas and flames when a fire occurs in a certain module inside the battery pack.

[0010] The problems that this invention aims to solve are not limited to those described above, and any problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those with ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs from this specification and the accompanying drawings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] A battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a pack frame on which a plurality of battery modules are mounted, at least one venting section located on at least one side of the pack frame, and at least one sonic fire extinguishing section located on the top of the pack frame, wherein the sonic fire extinguishing section generates low frequencies in a direction from inside the pack frame toward the venting section.

[0012] The sonic fire extinguishing unit is located in the center of the pack frame and can generate low frequencies in the direction from the center of the pack frame toward the venting section.

[0013] At least one venting section includes at least one first venting section located on one side of the pack frame and at least one second venting section located on the other side of the pack frame, and the sonic fire extinguishing section is located between the at least one first venting section and the at least one second venting section, and the sonic fire extinguishing section can generate low frequencies within the pack frame in directions toward the at least one first venting section and the at least one second venting section, respectively.

[0014] The sonic fire extinguishing unit may include a ventilation unit that allows air to flow from the outside of the pack frame into the inside of the pack frame, a low-frequency generating unit that generates low frequencies in the direction from the inside of the pack frame toward the venting unit, and a fan unit that blows the air that has flowed into the inside of the pack frame via the ventilation unit toward the venting unit.

[0015] The sound wave fire extinguishing unit may further include a low-frequency amplification unit that amplifies the low frequencies generated by the low-frequency generation unit.

[0016] The ventilation section is a unidirectional device that allows air to flow in only from the outside of the pack frame towards the inside of the pack frame, and the ventilation section can be a membrane, check valve, venting valve, or venting plug.

[0017] The sonic fire extinguishing unit may include an outer periphery extending along the top of the pack frame and a fixing unit that secures the outer periphery and the top of the pack frame to each other.

[0018] The sonic fire extinguishing unit may further include a fire detection unit that senses whether or not a fire has occurred inside the pack frame, and a control unit that receives a fire status signal from the fire detection unit, determines whether or not a fire has occurred, and activates the sonic fire extinguishing unit if a fire is detected.

[0019] The fire detection unit can detect abnormal temperatures and voltages through fire detection sensors attached to each of the multiple battery modules.

[0020] A fire detection sensor can be a thermistor.

[0021] The top of the pack frame includes a projection that extends away from the battery modules, and this projection contains a flame discharge channel through which flames generated from some of the battery modules are discharged towards the venting section, and the sonic fire extinguishing section can communicate with the flame discharge channel.

[0022] The pack frame includes a pack bottom that contacts the bottom surface of the battery module and a frame portion that surrounds the sides of the battery module. The frame portion includes a side frame that extends upward from the edge of the pack bottom and an internal frame located inside the side frame. Multiple battery modules can be partitioned by the side frame and the internal frame.

[0023] The battery module includes a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked, and both side surfaces and upper and lower surfaces of the battery cell stack can be surrounded by a pack frame.

[0024] The battery module can include a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked and a module frame that houses the battery cell stack.

[0025] A device according to another embodiment of the present invention includes the battery pack described above.

Advantages of the Invention

[0026] According to the embodiment, in the battery pack of the present invention and the device including the same, since a sound wave fire extinguishing structure is formed in the pack frame, when a part of the modules inside the battery pack catches fire, it can promote and digest the discharge of gas and flames.

[0027] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the above-described effects, and the effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains from this specification and the attached drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0028] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view showing a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a drawing schematically showing the components of the sound wave fire extinguishing part of FIG. 1. [[ID=3२]] [Figure 3] It is a perspective view showing a state in which the upper pack frame of the battery pack of FIG. 1 is removed. [Figure 4] It is an exploded perspective view of the lower pack frame of the battery pack of FIG. 1. [Figure 5] Based on the upper surface of the battery pack of FIG. 1, it is a drawing showing the air blowing direction of the fan part included in the sound wave fire extinguishing part of FIG. 2 and the direction of the low frequency generated from the low frequency generating part. [Figure 6]This diagram shows the direction of flame and / or gas discharge, with the top surface of the battery pack in Figure 1 as the reference point. [Figure 7] This is a perspective view showing a battery module according to another embodiment, which is attached to the battery pack in Figure 1. [Figure 8] Figure 7 is a disassembled perspective view of the battery module. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0029] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings, so that those with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains can easily implement it. The present invention can be implemented in a variety of different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0030] To clearly explain the present invention, irrelevant parts have been omitted, and the same or similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the specification.

[0031] Furthermore, the dimensions and thicknesses of each component shown in the drawings are arbitrarily indicated for the sake of explanation, and therefore the present invention is not necessarily limited to those shown. In the drawings, the thicknesses are shown enlarged to clearly represent multiple layers and regions. Also, in the drawings, the thicknesses of some layers and regions are shown exaggerated for the sake of explanation.

[0032] Furthermore, when a specification states that a part of it "includes" a certain component, unless otherwise stated, this means that it may include other components rather than excluding them.

[0033] Furthermore, throughout the specification, "on a plane" means when the subject is viewed from above, and "on a cross-section" means when the cross-section obtained by cutting the subject perpendicularly is viewed from the side.

[0034] The following describes a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a simplified diagram showing the components of the sonic fire extinguishing unit in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the battery pack in Figure 1 with the upper pack frame removed. Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the lower pack frame of the battery pack in Figure 1.

[0036] Referring to Figures 1 and 3, a battery pack 1000 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes pack frames 1100, 1200 on which a plurality of battery modules 100 are mounted; at least one venting section (1300a, 1300b, 1300c) located on at least one side of the pack frames 1100, 1200; and at least one sonic fire extinguishing section 1400 located on the top of the pack frames 1100, 1200.

[0037] Here, the pack frames 1100 and 1200 may include a lower pack frame 1100 on which multiple battery modules 100 are mounted, and an upper pack frame 1200 located above the battery modules 100. Here, the lower pack frame 1100 and the upper pack frame 1200 are joined together by welding or adhesive or other methods at the surfaces that come into contact with each other, thereby sealing the inside of the battery pack 1000.

[0038] Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the pack frames 1100, 1200 may include a pack bottom 1110 that contacts the lower surface of the battery module 100 and frame portions 1130, 1150 that surround the sides of the battery module. More specifically, the lower pack frame 1100 may include a pack bottom 1110 of the lower pack frame 1100 that contacts the lower surface of the battery module 100 and frame portions 1130, 1150 that surround the sides of the battery module 100. Here, the pack bottom 1110 and frame portions 1130, 1150 of the lower pack frame 1100 may be integrated with each other or fixed by another fastening method such as welding or bonding.

[0039] The frame sections 1130 and 1150 may include a side frame 1130 extending from the edge of the pack bottom 1110 toward the upper pack frame 1200, and an internal frame 1150 located inside the side frame 1130.

[0040] For example, the frame sections 1130 and 1150 can be made of an insulating material. For example, the frame sections 1130 and 1150 can be made of an aluminum extruded structure. As another example, the frame sections 1130 and 1150 may be made of dissimilar metal joining materials such as clad metal, or they may be structures that include insulating materials such as aerogel or EPP (Expanded Polypropylenes) foam. However, the frame sections 1130 and 1150 can be used without limitation as long as they are made of an insulating material with a predetermined rigidity.

[0041] The side frame 1130 can be a frame that extends from the edge of the lower pack frame 1100 along the length direction (y-axis direction) and the width direction (x-axis direction).

[0042] The internal frame 1150 may include a horizontal beam 1151 extending along the length direction (y-axis direction) of the lower pack frame 1100 and at least two vertical beams 1155 extending along the width direction (x-axis direction) of the lower pack frame 1100. For example, the vertical beams 1155 may include a pair of first and second vertical beams flanking the horizontal beam 1151, with the first and second vertical beams each being attached to the horizontal beam 1151. Here, the at least two vertical beams 1155 and the horizontal beam 1151 may be integrated with each other or fixed together by other fastening methods such as welding or bonding.

[0043] More specifically, the lengths of the horizontal beam 1151 and vertical beam 1155 included in the internal frame 1150, and the spacing between at least two adjacent vertical beams 1155, can be adjusted according to the size of the battery module 100.

[0044] As a result, in the battery pack 1000 according to this embodiment, the multiple battery modules 100 can be partitioned from each other by the side frame 1130 and the internal frame 1150. More specifically, the multiple battery modules 100 can be positioned apart from each other by the side frame 1130 and the internal frame 1150, and even if a fire occurs in some of the battery modules 100, heat propagation between adjacent battery modules 100 can be effectively prevented.

[0045] Referring to Figure 1, in the battery pack 1000 according to this embodiment, the sonic fire extinguishing unit 1400 may include a main body 1410, an outer peripheral portion 1450 extending along the upper parts of the pack frames 1100 and 1200, and a fixing portion 1490 that fixes the outer peripheral portion 1450 and the upper parts of the pack frames 1100 and 1200 to each other. More specifically, the outer peripheral portion 1450 may be formed on the lower part of the main body 1410. The outer peripheral portion 1450 can also extend along the upper parts of the pack frames 1100 and 1200 with a width sufficient to accommodate the fixing portion 1490. For example, the fixing portion 1490 may be a fixing member such as a bolt. As another example, in a structure in which the fixing portion 1490 is omitted, the lower surface of the outer peripheral portion 1450 and the upper parts of the pack frames 1100 and 1200 can be joined to each other by welding or adhesive.

[0046] The battery pack 1000 according to this embodiment may include at least one venting section (1300a, 1300b, 1300c) located on one side of the pack frame 1100, 1200. More specifically, at least one venting section (1300a, 1300b, 1300c) may be formed on one side of the lower pack frame 1100.

[0047] As an example, the battery pack 1000 according to this embodiment may have at least one first venting section 1300a, 1300b formed on one side of the lower pack frame 1100, and the at least one first venting section 1300a, 1300b may be spaced apart at a predetermined interval, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. Furthermore, the battery pack 1000 according to this embodiment may have a second venting section 1300c formed on the other side of the lower pack frame 1100, and the second venting section 1300c may be formed in the center of the other side of the lower pack frame 1100, as shown in Figure 4. However, the position and number of venting sections (1300a, 1300b, 1300c) are not limited to these, and any position and number that allows flames and / or gases generated inside the battery pack 1000 to be effectively discharged to the outside can be included in this embodiment.

[0048] The venting sections (1300a, 1300b, 1300c) can rupture when the internal pressure of the battery pack 1000 reaches a certain level or higher. More specifically, the venting sections (1300a, 1300b, 1300c) may include a rupture surface (not shown) configured to rupture when the pressure of the incoming gas exceeds a certain pressure, such as a Rupture Disc. However, the structure of the venting sections (1300a, 1300b, 1300c) is not limited to this, and any configuration that communicates with one side of the pack frame 1100, 1200 to allow internal gas to be discharged to the outside can be included in this embodiment.

[0049] In the battery pack 1000 according to this embodiment, the sonic fire extinguishing unit 1400 generates low frequencies in the direction from inside the pack frames 1100 and 1200 toward the venting sections (1300a, 1300b, and 1300c). As an example, as shown in Figure 1, in the battery pack 1000 according to this embodiment, the sonic fire extinguishing unit 1400 is located in the center of the pack frames 1100 and 1200, and the sonic fire extinguishing unit 1400 can generate low frequencies in the direction from the center of the pack frames 1100 and 1200 toward the venting sections (1300a, 1300b, and 1300c).

[0050] The sonic fire extinguishing unit 1400 is located between at least one first venting section 1300a, 1300b and at least one second venting section 1300c, and the sonic fire extinguishing unit 1400 can generate low frequencies from inside the pack frames 1100, 1200 toward at least one first venting section 1300a, 1300b and at least one second venting section 1300c, respectively.

[0051] As a result, in this embodiment, if a cell event such as a fire occurs in some of the battery modules 100 installed inside the battery pack 1000, the low-frequency sound generated from the sonic fire extinguishing unit 1400 minimizes the reaction between oxygen and flame, and effectively discharges the gas and / or flame towards the venting units (1300a, 1300b, 1300c).

[0052] Referring to Figure 1, in the battery pack 1000 according to this embodiment, the upper part of the pack frames 1100 and 1200 may include a protruding portion 1200p that protrudes outward from the pack frames 1100 and 1200. More specifically, in the battery pack 1000 according to this embodiment, the upper pack frame 1200 may include a protruding portion 1200p that protrudes away from the battery modules. Here, the protruding portion 1200p may contain a flame discharge channel through which flames generated from some of the battery modules 100 are discharged toward the venting sections (1300a, 1300b, 1300c). That is, the space between the protruding portion 1200p and the upper part of the battery modules 100 can serve as the flame discharge channel. Along with this, as shown in Figure 1, the sonic fire extinguishing unit 1400 can communicate with the flame discharge channel housed in the protruding portion 1200p.

[0053] As a result, in this embodiment, if a cell event such as a fire occurs in some of the battery modules 100 installed inside the battery pack 1000, the gas and / or flame can flow through the flame discharge channel housed in the protrusion 1200p, preventing the gas and / or flame from being exposed to the outside.

[0054] In addition, since the flame discharge channel housed in the protruding portion 1200p and the sonic fire extinguishing section 1400 are in communication with each other, the low-frequency waves generated from the sonic fire extinguishing section 1400 can effectively discharge gas and / or flame toward the venting sections (1300a, 1300b, 1300c) while minimizing the reaction between the oxygen flowing in the flame discharge channel and the flame.

[0055] Figure 5 is a diagram showing the airflow direction of the fan section included in the sonic fire extinguishing unit in Figure 2 and the direction of the low-frequency waves generated from the low-frequency generator, with the top surface of the battery pack in Figure 1 as the reference point. Figure 6 is a diagram showing the exhaust direction of the flame and / or gas, with the top surface of the battery pack in Figure 1 as the reference point.

[0056] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the main body 1410 of the sonic fire extinguishing unit 1400 may include a ventilation section 1411 that allows air to flow from outside the pack frames 1100 and 1200 into the pack frames 1100 and 1200; a low-frequency generating section 1412 that generates low frequencies in the direction toward the venting sections (1300a, 1300b, and 1300c) from inside the pack frames 1100 and 1200; and a fan section 1413 that blows the air that has flowed into the pack frames 1100 and 1200 through the ventilation section 1411 toward the venting sections (1300a, 1300b, and 1300c).

[0057] More specifically, the ventilation section 1411 can be a one-way device that allows air to flow in only from the outside of the pack frames 1100 and 1200 toward the inside of the pack frames 1100 and 1200, thereby maintaining the airtightness of the battery pack 1000. For example, the ventilation section 1411 can be a membrane, a check valve, a venting valve, or a venting plug. However, the ventilation section 1411 is not limited to these, and any component that can allow outside air to flow into the inside of the pack frames 1100 and 1200 in the event of a cell event such as a fire inside the battery pack 1000 can be included in this embodiment.

[0058] Furthermore, the low-frequency generator 1412 can generate low frequencies that can suppress fires. More specifically, the low-frequency generator 1412 can generate low frequencies having specific frequencies, and can generate low frequencies having frequencies of 100 Hz or less. For example, the low-frequency generator 1412 can generate low frequencies having frequencies between 10 Hz and 100 Hz.

[0059] Furthermore, the main body 1410 of the sonic fire extinguishing unit 1400 may further include a low-frequency amplification unit 1414 that amplifies the low frequencies generated by the low-frequency generation unit 1412. More specifically, the low-frequency amplification unit 1414 can amplify the low frequencies generated by the low-frequency generation unit 1412 to a predetermined level.

[0060] As a result, in the battery pack 1000 according to this embodiment, the low-frequency waves generated by the sonic fire extinguishing unit 1400 can suppress a fire that has occurred inside the battery pack 1000 by preventing or blocking contact between the flame and oxygen. At the same time, suppressing the fire with the low-frequency waves generated by the sonic fire extinguishing unit 1400 has the advantage of not damaging or destroying the internal components of the battery pack 1000, unlike conventional fire extinguishing devices that spray extinguishing liquid.

[0061] Furthermore, the air that flows into the pack frames 1100 and 1200 through the ventilation section 1411 can flow through the flame exhaust channel housed in the protrusion 1200p formed on the upper part of the pack frames 1100 and 1200, and the fan section 1413 can blow the air that has flowed into the flame exhaust channel toward the venting sections (1300a, 1300b, 1300c). For example, the fan section 1413 may be a fan or blower component commonly used for ventilation.

[0062] Referring to Figures 1, 2, 5, and 6, in the battery pack 1000 according to this embodiment, the fan section 1413 can blow air inside the flame exhaust channel in the first direction (d1), and the low-frequency generating section 1412 included in the sonic fire extinguishing section 1400 can generate low frequencies in the second direction (d2). In addition, the gas and / or flame in the flame exhaust channel, through which the sonic fire extinguishing section 1400 is connected, can move along the third direction (d3). Here, the first direction (d1) to the third direction (d3) may all be directions from the sonic fire extinguishing section 1400 toward the venting sections (1300a, 1300b, 1300c).

[0063] As a result, in this embodiment, when a cell event such as a fire occurs in some of the battery modules 100 installed inside the battery pack 1000, the low-frequency generating unit 1412 generates low frequencies in the direction (d2) from the fire extinguishing unit 1400 toward the venting units (1300a, 1300b, 1300c), thereby obstructing or blocking contact between the flame and oxygen, and weakening or extinguishing the flame. At the same time, the fan unit 1413 blows air in the direction (d1) from the sonic fire extinguishing unit 1400 toward the venting units (1300a, 1300b, 1300c), allowing the gas and / or flame flowing through the flame discharge channel housed in the protruding unit 1200p to be discharged more smoothly along the third direction (d3).

[0064] In other words, the battery pack 1000 according to this embodiment includes a sonic fire extinguishing unit 1400, which effectively extinguishes flames generated inside the battery pack 1000 and effectively discharges gases generated inside the battery pack 1000 to the outside, thereby minimizing injuries to the driver of the vehicle to which the battery pack 1000 is installed, while ensuring sufficient time for the driver to evacuate.

[0065] Referring to Figure 2, the main body 1410 of the sonic fire extinguishing unit 1400 may further include a fire detection unit 1415 that senses whether or not a fire has occurred inside the pack frame 1100, 1200, and a control unit 1416 that receives a fire situation signal from the fire detection unit 1415 to determine whether or not a fire has occurred, and if a fire situation is determined, activates the sonic fire extinguishing unit.

[0066] More specifically, the fire detection unit 1415 can detect abnormal temperatures and voltages through fire detection sensors attached to each of the multiple battery modules 100. For example, the fire detection sensor may be a thermistor. However, it is not limited to this, and the fire detection unit 1415 may include sensors that detect smoke generated by a fire, infrared rays and ultraviolet rays emitted from the light of a fire, etc.

[0067] Referring to Figure 3, in the battery pack 1000 according to this embodiment, the electrical unit 1500 can be equipped with a BMS (Battery Management System) module that monitors and controls the operation of other electrical components and the battery module. Here, the BMS module can be electrically connected to multiple battery modules 100.

[0068] In other words, the BMS module mounted on the electrical unit 1500 receives voltage data and thermal (temperature) data from the multiple battery modules 100 obtained from the fire detection sensor, and the fire detection unit 1415 can detect whether or not a fire has occurred in the battery modules 100 based on the temperature and / or voltage data of the multiple battery modules 100 from the BMS module.

[0069] Furthermore, the control unit 1416 may include one or more of the following: a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), one or more microprocessors, and other electronic components capable of processing data input according to predetermined logic. For example, the control unit 1416 can perform various processes, such as deploying a process for activating the sonic fire extinguishing unit 1400 on RAM based on a fire occurrence signal obtained from the fire detection unit 1415, and controlling the operation of the sonic fire extinguishing unit 1400 according to the deployed program.

[0070] As a result, in this embodiment, if a cell event such as a fire occurs in some of the battery modules 100 installed inside the battery pack 1000, the battery pack 1000 can quickly detect whether or not a fire has occurred through the fire detection unit 1415, and based on the detected signal, the control unit 1416 can quickly activate the sonic fire extinguishing unit 1400, thereby effectively dealing with the fire hazard of the battery pack 1000.

[0071] Referring to Figure 3, in the battery pack 1000 according to this embodiment, the battery module 100 includes a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells 110 are stacked.

[0072] The battery cell 110 is preferably a pouch-type battery cell. For example, the battery cell 110 can be manufactured by housing an electrode assembly in a pouch case made of a laminate sheet containing a resin layer and an adhesive layer, and then heat-sealing the pouch case. Such a battery cell 110 can be formed in the form of a rectangular sheet structure. Such a battery cell 110 is composed of multiple cells, and the multiple battery cells 110 are stacked so as to be electrically connected to each other to form a battery cell stack. Here, the number of battery cells 110 constituting the battery cell stack can be adjusted depending on the circumstances.

[0073] Furthermore, both sides and the top and bottom surfaces of the battery cell stack can be surrounded by the pack frames 1100 and 1200. That is, in the battery pack 1000 according to this embodiment, both sides and the top and bottom surfaces of the battery cell stack included in the battery module 100 can directly face the pack frames 1100 and 1200.

[0074] More specifically, unlike the battery module 100a shown in Figures 7 and 8 later, the battery module 100 may have a structure in which at least some of its components, such as the module frames 160a, 170a, end plates 150a, and busbar frame 130a, are omitted. In other words, the battery module 100 may have a structure in which the number of components per battery module is minimized. For example, unlike the battery module 100a shown in Figures 7 and 8 later, the battery module 100 may have a structure in which the module frames 160a, 170a and / or end plates 150a are omitted.

[0075] As a result, in this embodiment, the battery pack 1000 omits at least some of the components of the battery module 100, reducing the weight of the battery pack 1000 while further increasing the utilization rate of space inside the battery pack 1000.

[0076] Figure 7 is a perspective view showing a battery module according to another embodiment, which is installed in the battery pack of Figure 1. Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of the battery module of Figure 7.

[0077] Referring to Figures 3, 7, and 8, in another embodiment of the present invention, a battery pack 1000 can have multiple battery modules 100a mounted on pack frames 1100 and 1200, and the other configurations can be described in the same manner as described above.

[0078] Referring to Figures 3, 7, and 8, the multiple battery modules 100a included in the battery pack 1000 according to this embodiment can be mounted on the lower pack frame 1100. More specifically, the multiple battery modules 100a can be mounted in areas partitioned by the side frame 1130 and the internal frame 1150, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. However, the orientation of the battery modules 100a is not limited to this and can be appropriately changed as needed.

[0079] As an example, the battery module 100a includes a battery cell stack 120a in which multiple battery cells 110a are stacked, and module frames 160a and 170a that house the battery cell stack 120a, as shown in Figures 7 and 8.

[0080] The module frames 160a and 170a may include an upper cover 160a and a lower frame 170a. They may also include a thermally conductive resin layer 175a located between the battery cell stack 120a and the lower part of the module frames 160a and 170a.

[0081] Here, the lower frame 170a may include a bottom and two side portions extending upward from both ends of the bottom. In this case, the bottom can cover the lower surface of the battery cell stack 120a, and the side portions can cover the sides of the battery cell stack 120a. The upper cover 160a and the lower frame 170 are joined by welding or the like with their corresponding corners in contact, forming a structure that covers the top, bottom, left, and right sides of the battery cell stack 120a. For this reason, the upper cover 160a and the lower frame 170a can be made of a metal material having a predetermined strength.

[0082] As another example, although not shown in Figures 8 and 9, module frames 160a and 170a can be replaced with a monoframe in the form of a metal plate with the top and bottom surfaces and both sides integrated. As yet another example, module frames 160a and 170a can be replaced with a configuration in which two L-shaped frames are joined together. As yet another example, module frames 160a and 170a can be replaced with a four-plate structure frame in which a top plate, bottom plate, left plate, and right plate are joined together. However, the embodiment is not limited to these, and any frame configuration that can protect the internal components of the battery module 100a can be applied to this embodiment.

[0083] Furthermore, the battery module 100a further includes busbar frames 130a located on the front and rear surfaces of the battery cell stack 120a, and end plates 150a covering the busbar frames 130a. Here, busbars (not shown) electrically connected to the battery cell stack 120 can be located on the busbar frames 130a. This allows the end plates 150a to physically protect the battery cell stack 120 and other electrical components from external impacts. Thus, in the battery pack 1000 according to this embodiment, the battery module 100a can protect the battery cells 110a contained in the battery cell stack 120a from external impacts because the front and rear surfaces and both sides of the battery cell stack 120a are covered by module frames 160a, 170a and end plates 150a. In addition, when a cell event such as a fire occurs in some of the battery cells 110a within the battery module 100a, the heat propagation to other adjacent battery modules 100a is relatively slowed, thereby further improving the safety of the battery module 100a and the battery pack 1000.

[0084] Another embodiment of the present invention includes a battery pack as described above. Such a device can be applied to means of transport such as electric bicycles, electric vehicles, and hybrid vehicles, but the present invention is not limited thereto and is applicable to a variety of devices that can use battery modules and battery packs containing them, and this also falls within the scope of the present invention.

[0085] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements by those skilled in the art that utilize the basic concepts of the present invention as defined in the following claims also fall within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0086] 100, 100A battery module 110, 110a battery cells 1000 Battery Pack 1100 Lower Pack Frame 1110 Pack bottom 1130 Side frame 1150 Internal Frame 1200 Upper Pack Frame 1300a, 1300b, 1300c Venting section 1400 Sonic Firefighting Unit 1500 Electrical System 120a Battery Cell Stack 130a Busbar Frame 150a End Plate 160a Upper Plate 170a Lower frame

Claims

1. A pack frame with multiple battery modules attached, At least one venting portion located on at least one side of the pack frame, The pack frame includes at least one sonic fire extinguishing unit located on the upper part of the pack frame, The sound wave fire extinguishing unit generates low frequencies in a direction from inside the pack frame toward the venting unit. Battery pack.

2. The sonic fire extinguishing unit is located in the center of the pack frame, The sound wave fire extinguishing unit generates low frequencies in a direction from the center of the pack frame toward the venting section. The battery pack according to claim 1.

3. The at least one venting section includes at least one first venting section located on one side of the pack frame and at least one second venting section located on the other side of the pack frame. The sonic fire extinguishing unit is located between the at least one first venting unit and the at least one second venting unit. The sonic fire extinguishing unit generates low frequencies from inside the pack frame toward the at least one first venting section and the at least one second venting section, respectively. The battery pack according to claim 1.

4. The aforementioned sonic fire extinguishing unit is A ventilation section that allows air to flow from the outside of the pack frame into the inside of the pack frame, A low-frequency generating unit that generates low frequencies in the direction toward the venting section from inside the pack frame, Includes a fan unit that blows air that has flowed into the inside of the pack frame through the ventilation unit toward the venting unit, The battery pack according to claim 1.

5. The battery pack according to claim 4, wherein the sound wave fire extinguishing unit further includes a low-frequency amplification unit that amplifies the low frequencies generated by the low-frequency generation unit.

6. The ventilation section is a one-way device that directs air in only from the outside of the pack frame towards the inside of the pack frame. The aforementioned ventilation section is a membrane, a check valve, a venting valve, or a venting plug. The battery pack according to claim 4.

7. The aforementioned sonic fire extinguishing unit is The outer periphery extending along the top of the aforementioned pack frame, It includes a fixing part that secures the outer periphery and the upper part of the pack frame to each other. The battery pack according to claim 4.

8. The aforementioned sonic fire extinguishing unit is A fire detection unit that detects whether or not a fire has occurred inside the pack frame, The system further includes a control unit that receives a fire status signal from the fire detection unit, determines whether or not a fire has occurred, and activates the sonic fire extinguishing unit if a fire is detected, The battery pack according to claim 1.

9. The battery pack according to claim 8, wherein the fire detection unit detects abnormal temperature and abnormal voltage through fire detection sensors attached to each of the plurality of battery modules.

10. The battery pack according to claim 9, wherein the fire detection sensor is a thermistor.

11. The upper part of the pack frame includes a protrusion that extends away from the battery module, The protruding portion incorporates a flame discharge channel through which flames generated from some of the battery modules among the plurality of battery modules are discharged toward the venting portion. The sonic fire extinguishing unit communicates with the flame discharge channel, The battery pack according to claim 1.

12. The pack frame includes a pack bottom that contacts the lower surface of the battery module and a frame portion that surrounds the side of the battery module. The frame portion includes a side frame extending upward from the edge of the bottom of the pack, and an internal frame located inside the side frame. The plurality of battery modules are separated from each other by the side frame and the internal frame. The battery pack according to claim 1.

13. The battery module includes a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked, Both sides and the top and bottom surfaces of the aforementioned battery cell stack are surrounded by the pack frame. The battery pack according to claim 12.

14. The battery pack according to claim 12, wherein the battery module includes a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked, and a module frame that houses the battery cell stack.

15. A device comprising a battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

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