Battery Assembly

Abstract

A battery assembly is disclosed. A battery assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a case defining a space inside, the case having an opening, a battery cell located inside the case, a cover provided in the opening and configured to be movable in the front-rear direction, and a gas valve having a resistance member formed on the inner surface of the cover.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery assembly.

[0002] This application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-******-*****, filed on October 16, 2023, and all the contents disclosed in the specification and drawings of the said application are incorporated into this application.

Background Art

[0003] As the demand for portable electronic products such as laptops, video cameras, and mobile phones has been rapidly increasing, and the commercialization of robots, electric vehicles, etc. has been in full swing, research on high-performance secondary batteries that can be repeatedly charged and discharged has been actively conducted.

[0004] Currently, commercially available secondary batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, lithium secondary batteries, etc. Among these, lithium secondary batteries have attracted attention because they have almost no memory effect compared to nickel-based secondary batteries, so they can be freely charged and discharged, have a very low self-discharge rate, and have a high energy density.

[0005] Such lithium secondary batteries mainly use a lithium-based oxide and a carbon material as a positive electrode active material and a negative electrode active material, respectively. A lithium secondary battery includes an electrode assembly in which a positive electrode plate coated with such a positive electrode active material and a negative electrode plate coated with a negative electrode active material are arranged with a separator interposed therebetween, and an exterior material that hermetically stores the electrode assembly together with an electrolytic solution, for example, a battery case.

[0006] Generally, lithium secondary batteries can be classified into a can-type secondary battery in which an electrode assembly is housed in a metal can and a pouch-type secondary battery in which an electrode assembly is housed in a pouch made of an aluminum laminate sheet according to the shape of the exterior material.

[0007] Note: The 7-digit number in is replaced with ****** as the original number is not provided in the question. You can replace it with the actual number if available.In recent years, secondary batteries have been widely used not only in small devices such as portable electronic devices, but also in medium and large-scale devices such as electric vehicles and energy storage systems (ESS), for propulsion and energy storage. These secondary batteries are electrically connected and housed together inside a module case to form a single battery module. Furthermore, multiple such battery modules are connected to form a single battery pack.

[0008] However, when multiple secondary batteries (battery cells) or multiple battery modules are densely packed into a small space, they can be vulnerable to thermal events. In particular, if an event such as thermal runaway occurs in one battery cell, high-temperature gases, flames, and heat may be generated. If such gases, flames, and heat are transferred to other battery cells contained within the same battery module, an explosive chain reaction such as thermal propagation can occur. Furthermore, such a chain reaction can not only cause accidents such as fires and explosions in the battery module in question, but can also cause fires and explosions in other battery modules.

[0009] Furthermore, in the case of medium to large battery packs, such as those found in electric vehicles, the risk of chain reaction thermal reactions is even higher because they contain a large number of battery cells and battery modules in an attempt to increase output and / or capacity. In addition, in the case of battery packs installed in electric vehicles, there may be users such as drivers in the vicinity.

[0010] In particular, the risk of a chain reaction increases when flammable particles are emitted from battery modules or battery packs. Therefore, it is necessary to suppress or block the emission of flammable particles from battery modules and battery packs. [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0011] The present invention aims to solve the problems described above and other problems.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a battery assembly with improved electrical safety when a thermal event occurs.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a battery assembly that, when a thermal event occurs, discharges vent gas while suppressing or blocking the discharge of flammable particles, flames, etc. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] To achieve the above objective, a battery assembly according to one aspect of the present invention includes a case that defines a space inside, the case having an opening, a battery cell located inside the case, a cover provided in the opening and configured to be movable in the front-rear direction, and a gas valve having a resistance member formed on the inner surface of the cover.

[0015] Furthermore, the gas valve may be configured to suppress particle discharge when a thermal event occurs.

[0016] Furthermore, the cover is open at the rear, allowing for the creation of internal space.

[0017] Furthermore, multiple resistors may be provided and arranged along the periphery of the cover.

[0018] Furthermore, the cover includes a plate that covers the opening and a peripheral wall that protrudes to the rear of the plate, and the resistive member may be provided on the inner surface of the peripheral wall.

[0019] Furthermore, the resistive member may include a first partition extending inward and a second partition extending diagonally from the first partition.

[0020] Further, the resistance member may form a pocket configured to collect particles discharged from the opening.

[0021] Further, the case may constitute a module case of the battery module.

[0022] Further, the case may constitute a pack case of the battery pack.

[0023] An automobile according to another aspect of the present invention includes a battery assembly according to one aspect of the present invention.

Advantages of the Invention

[0024] According to one aspect of the present invention, the thermal safety of the battery assembly can be improved.

[0025] According to one aspect of the present invention, the discharge of ignitable particles from the battery assembly can be suppressed or blocked.

[0026] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and are intended to facilitate a further understanding of the technical idea of the present invention together with the detailed description of the invention. Therefore, the present invention is not to be construed as being limited only to the matters described in the drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0027] [Figure 1] It is a diagram showing a gas valve of a battery assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a diagram of the gas valve of FIG. 1 viewed from another direction. [Figure 3] It is a diagram showing a partially disassembled configuration of the gas valve of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing a state where the gas valve of a battery assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is closed. [Figure 5] It is a diagram of the gas valve of FIG. 4 viewed from another direction. [Figure 6]This is a view of the gas valve shown in Figure 4 from above. [Figure 7] This figure shows the gas valve of a battery assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention in an open state. [Figure 8] This is a view of the gas valve shown in Figure 7 from above. [Figure 9] This is a rear view of the gas valve of a battery assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] This diagram shows the gas valve in Figure 9 when a thermal event occurs. [Figure 11] This figure shows the deformed form of Figure 9. [Figure 12] This figure shows the deformed form of Figure 9. [Figure 13] This figure shows the deformed form of Figure 9. [Figure 14] This figure shows the deformed form of Figure 1. [Figure 15] This figure shows the deformed form of Figure 1. [Figure 16] This figure shows the deformed form of Figure 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0028] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. Prior to this, terms and words used herein and in the claims shall not be interpreted in their general and dictionary sense, but in accordance with the principle that inventors can appropriately define the concepts of terms in order to best describe their invention, and shall be interpreted in the sense and concept corresponding to the technical idea of ​​the present invention.

[0029] Therefore, the embodiments described herein and the configurations shown in the drawings 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 be substituted for them at the time of filing this application.

[0030] Figure 1 shows a gas valve 200 of a battery assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a view of the gas valve 200 of Figure 1 from another direction, and Figure 3 is an exploded view showing a part of the gas valve 200 of Figure 1.

[0031] Referring to Figures 1 to 3, a battery assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a case 100, battery cells, and a gas valve 200. A battery assembly can mean a collection of various battery cells, such as a battery module or a battery pack. The case 100 can define space inside. In this case, the case 100 can mean the case 100 of a battery module or the case 100 of a battery pack. The case 100 may be rectangular parallelepiped. The case 100 can form the exterior of the battery assembly. The case 100 may also have an opening 101. The opening 101 may be circular. The opening 101 can connect the outside and inside of the case 100. Multiple openings 101 may be provided.

[0032] The battery cells may be located inside the case 100. In this case, the battery cells may refer to secondary batteries. The battery cells can take on various shapes. For example, the battery cells may be cylindrical or pouch-shaped. Multiple battery cells may be provided.

[0033] The gas valve 200 may be provided in the opening 101. Multiple gas valves 200 may be provided. Multiple gas valves 200 may be provided so as to correspond one-to-one to multiple openings 101. The gas valve 200 may include a cover 210 configured to be movable in the front-rear direction. The gas valve 200 may also include a resistance member 213 formed on the inner surface of the cover 210. The gas valve 200 can open and close the opening 101. The gas valve 200 can communicate with or block the inside and outside of the case 100.

[0034] According to this configuration of the present invention, the thermal safety of the battery assembly can be improved. When a thermal event occurs, vent gas g and flammable particles f can be discharged to the outside of the case 100 through the gas valve 200. At this time, the discharge of flammable particles f is suppressed or blocked by the resistance member 213. This allows the temperature of the flammable particles f to decrease while the discharge of flammable particles f is suppressed or blocked. Meanwhile, the discharge of vent gas g proceeds smoothly.

[0035] Referring to Figures 1 to 3, a gas valve 200 of a battery assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a fixing part 240, a spring 230, a coupling bar 220, and a cover 210. The fixing part 240 may be installed, coupled, fastened, fixed, or attached to the opening 101. The fixing part 240 may have a fastening hole 241. The fixing part 240 may also have a vent hole 243. The vent hole 243 may connect the inside and outside of the case 100. The fixing part 240 may also have a coupling hole 242.

[0036] The coupling bar 220 may be provided in the coupling hole 242. The coupling bar 220 may extend long in the front-rear direction or in the X-axis direction. One end or the rear end of the coupling bar 220 may include a stopper 221. The stopper 221 may have a larger diameter than the coupling hole 242. The coupling bar 220 may be connected, coupled, fastened, fixed, or attached to the rear surface of the cover 210. Alternatively, the coupling bar 220 and the cover 210 may be formed integrally.

[0037] The spring 230 may be connected to the connecting bar 220. The spring 230 may be located between the fixing part 240 and the stopper 221. The cover 210 may cover the opening 101 and the vent hole 243. When a thermal event occurs, if the pressure inside the case 100 increases, the spring 230 may be compressed, causing the cover 210 to move forward or in the +X direction. Also, if the pressure inside the case 100 decreases, the spring 230 may be restored, causing the cover 210 to move backward or in the -X direction.

[0038] Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the gas valve 200 of the battery assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention may define internal space. The cover 210 is open at the rear and may define internal space.

[0039] According to this configuration of the present invention, the vent gas g and flammable particles f discharged from inside the case 100 can flow into the inside of the cover 210 and then be discharged to the outside of the case 100. In this process, the vent gas g and flammable particles f come into contact with or collide with the resistance member 213. This makes it possible to suppress or block the discharge of flammable particles f.

[0040] Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the cover 210 of the gas valve 200 of the battery assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a plate 211 and a peripheral wall 212. The plate 211 may cover the opening 101 or the vent hole 243. The plate 211 may be flat or disc-shaped. The peripheral wall 212 may project behind the plate 211. The peripheral wall 212 may extend along the periphery of the plate 211. The plate 211 and the peripheral wall 212 may form a space inside.

[0041] Furthermore, the resistance member 213 may be provided on the inner surface of the peripheral wall 212. Alternatively, the resistance member 213 may be provided on the rear surface of the plate 211. The resistance member 213 may extend from at least one of the peripheral wall 212 or the plate 211.

[0042] According to this configuration of the present invention, the vent gas g and flammable particles f discharged from inside the case 100 can flow into the space formed by the plate 211 and the peripheral wall 212, and then be discharged to the outside of the case 100. In this process, the vent gas g and flammable particles f come into contact with or collide with the resistance member 213. This makes it possible to suppress or block the discharge of flammable particles f.

[0043] Referring to Figures 1 to 3, a plurality of resistor members 213 may be provided in the battery assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention. The plurality of resistor members 213 may be arranged along the periphery of the cover 210. The cover 210 may be circular in shape, and the plurality of resistor members 213 may be arranged in a circular shape. The plurality of resistor members 213 may be formed integrally with the cover 210.

[0044] According to this configuration of the present invention, the resistance member 213 is formed along the periphery of the cover 210, thereby providing uniform flow resistance throughout the entire section of the gas valve 200. This effectively suppresses or blocks the discharge of flammable particles f.

[0045] Figure 4 shows the gas valve 200 of a battery assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention in a closed state, Figure 5 is a view of the gas valve 200 of Figure 4 from another direction, Figure 6 is a view of the gas valve 200 of Figure 4 from above, Figure 7 shows the gas valve 200 of a battery assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention in an open state, and Figure 8 is a view of the gas valve 200 of Figure 7 from above.

[0046] Referring to Figures 4 to 8, the gas valve 200 of the battery assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention is provided in the case 100 and can open and close the opening 101. The gas valve 200 can contact the outer surface of the case 100. Fastening members S can be fastened to fastening holes 241 of the fixing part 240 inside the case 100. For example, three fastening members S can be arranged around the periphery of the opening 101 and fastened to the fixing part 240. The fastening members S can fix the fixing part 240 to the case 100.

[0047] When a thermal event occurs, the pressure inside the case 100 may increase due to the vent gas g. This causes the plate 211 of the cover 210 to be subjected to pressure outward or in the +X axis direction. At this time, the spring 230 may be compressed. Also, the space between the case 100 and the peripheral wall 212 of the cover 210 may be opened. The vent gas g and flammable particles f may pass through the vent hole 243 of the fixed part 240 and come into contact with or collide with the plate 211 of the cover 210 and the resistance member 213. At this time, the resistance member 213 suppresses or blocks the discharge of flammable particles f from between the case 100 and the peripheral wall 212 of the cover 210. On the other hand, the vent gas g is discharged smoothly from between the case 100 and the peripheral wall 212 despite resistance from the resistance member 213.

[0048] If the thermal event is interrupted or the pressure inside case 100 decreases, the spring 230 may provide a restoring force that causes cover 210 to move backward or in the -X direction. Also, the space between the peripheral wall 212 of cover 210 and case 100 will close.

[0049] Figure 9 is a rear view of the gas valve 200 of a battery assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 10 shows the gas valve 200 of Figure 9 when a thermal event occurs.

[0050] Referring to Figures 9 and 10, the gas valve 200 of the battery assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention may be configured to suppress particle discharge when a thermal event occurs. The vent gas g and flammable particles f that have passed through the vent hole 243 may come into contact with or collide with the plate 211 and the resistance member 213. The vent gas g may be discharged radially along the peripheral wall 212. Meanwhile, the flammable particles f may be collected by the resistance member 213 in the space defined by the cover 210.

[0051] According to this configuration of the present invention, the thermal safety of the battery assembly can be improved by effectively suppressing or blocking the emission of flammable particles f.

[0052] Figure 11 shows a modified form of Figure 9. Referring to Figure 11, the resistive member 213 of the battery assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a first partition 213a and a second partition 213b. The first partition 213a may extend from the peripheral wall 212 or plate 211 toward the inside of the cover 210 or toward the coupling bar 220. The second partition 213b may extend from the first partition 213a. The second partition 213b may extend from one end of the first partition 213a. The first partition 213a and the second partition 213b may be positioned obliquely to each other, or they may be at a right angle.

[0053] With this configuration of the present invention, the first partition 213a and the second partition 213b can form a space. Furthermore, the first partition 213a and the second partition 213b can further increase resistance to flow. This makes it possible to more reliably suppress or block the discharge of flammable particles f to the outside of the battery assembly.

[0054] Figure 12 shows a modified form of Figure 9. Referring to Figure 12, the resistive member 213 of the battery assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a first partition 213a and a second partition 213b. The first partition 213a may extend from the peripheral wall 212 or plate 211 toward the inside of the cover 210 or toward the coupling bar 220. The second partition 213b may extend from the first partition 213a. The second partition 213b may extend to the outside of the first partition 213a. The second partition 213b may also extend away from the peripheral wall 212. The second partition 213b may also extend from the middle portion of the first partition 213a. The first partition 213a and the second partition 213b may be positioned obliquely to each other. Alternatively, the first partition 213a and the second partition 213b may be positioned perpendicular to each other.

[0055] With this configuration of the present invention, the first partition 213a and the second partition 213b can form a space. Furthermore, the first partition 213a and the second partition 213b can further increase resistance to flow. This makes it possible to more reliably suppress or block the discharge of flammable particles f to the outside of the battery assembly.

[0056] Figure 13 shows a modified form of Figure 9. Referring to Figure 13, the resistive member 213 of the battery assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a first partition 213a and a second partition 213b. The first partition 213a may extend from the peripheral wall 212 or plate 211 toward the inside of the cover 210 or toward the coupling bar 220. The second partition 213b may extend from the first partition 213a. The second partition 213b may extend in both directions from one end of the first partition 213a. For example, the first partition 213a and the second partition 213b may form a T shape. Alternatively, the first partition 213a and the second partition 213b may be positioned perpendicular to each other.

[0057] With this configuration of the present invention, the first partition 213a and the second partition 213b can form a space. Furthermore, the first partition 213a and the second partition 213b can further increase resistance to flow. This makes it possible to more reliably suppress or block the discharge of flammable particles f to the outside of the battery assembly.

[0058] Figure 14 shows a modified form of Figure 1. Referring to Figure 14, the resistive member 213 of the battery assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a comb-toothed portion 213c. The comb-toothed portion 213c may be formed at the rear end of the resistive member 213. Alternatively, the comb-toothed portion 213c may be formed at the end of the resistive member 213 in the front-rear direction or in the X-axis direction.

[0059] According to this configuration of the present invention, the comb-tooth portion 213c can capture flammable particles f contained in the flow and allow the vent gas g to pass through. This effectively suppresses or blocks the emission of flammable particles f, thereby improving the thermal safety of the battery assembly.

[0060] Figure 15 shows a modified form of Figure 1. Referring to Figure 15, the resistive member 213 of the battery assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention may form a pocket. The resistive member 213 may include a mesh member 214. The mesh member 214 may be coupled, connected, attached to or fixed to the rear end of the peripheral wall 212 and the rear end of the resistive member 213. The mesh member 214 may connect multiple resistive members 213. The mesh member 214 may also extend along the peripheral wall 212. The mesh member 214 may be made of a metallic material. The mesh member 214 may also be ring-shaped. The mesh member 214, the resistive member 213 and the peripheral wall 212 may form a collection space or pocket.

[0061] According to this configuration of the present invention, the mesh member 214 can capture flammable particles f contained in the flow that enters the collection space or pocket and allow the vent gas g to pass through. This effectively suppresses or blocks the emission of flammable particles f, thereby improving the thermal safety of the battery assembly.

[0062] Figure 16 shows a modified form of Figure 1. Referring to Figure 16, the resistive member 213 of the battery assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention may form a pocket. The resistive member 213 may include a third partition 213d. The third partition 213d may be coupled, connected, attached to or fixed to the rear end of the peripheral wall 212 and the rear end of the resistive member 213. The third partition 213d may connect multiple resistive members 213. The third partition 213d may also extend along the peripheral wall 212. The third partition 213d may also be ring-shaped. The third partition 213d, the resistive member 213 and the peripheral wall 212 may form a collection space or pocket.

[0063] According to this configuration of the present invention, the mesh member 214 can capture flammable particles f contained in the flow that enters the collection space or pocket and allow the vent gas g to pass through. This effectively suppresses or blocks the emission of flammable particles f, thereby improving the thermal safety of the battery assembly.

[0064] Furthermore, a battery assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a variety of components, such as a battery management system (BMS), busbars, relays, current sensors, and other components of a battery pack known at the time of filing of the present invention.

[0065] An automobile according to one embodiment of the present invention includes the battery assembly according to the present embodiment of the present invention described above. The battery assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention may be applied to automobiles such as electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles. Furthermore, an automobile according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a variety of other components included in the automobile in addition to such a battery assembly, such as a vehicle body, motors, and control devices such as an electronic control unit (ECU).

[0066] On the other hand, while terms indicating direction such as up, down, left, right, front, and back are used in this specification, these terms are used for convenience of explanation, and it is 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, etc.

[0067] 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 pertains.

Claims

1. A case that defines space inside, and includes a case that has an opening, A battery cell located inside the aforementioned case, A gas valve comprising a cover provided in the opening and configured to be movable in the front-rear direction, and a resistance member formed on the inner surface of the cover, Battery assembly including.

2. The battery assembly according to claim 1, wherein the gas valve is configured to suppress particle discharge when a thermal event occurs.

3. The battery assembly according to claim 1, wherein the cover is open at the rear and defines a space inside.

4. The battery assembly according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the resistive members are provided and arranged along the periphery of the cover.

5. The aforementioned cover is A plate covering the opening, A peripheral wall protruding from the rear of the plate, Includes, The aforementioned resistive member is The battery assembly according to claim 1, provided on the inner surface of the peripheral wall.

6. The aforementioned resistive member is The first partition extends inward, A second partition extending diagonally from the first partition, The battery assembly according to claim 5, including the following:

7. The battery assembly according to claim 5, wherein the resistive member forms a pocket configured to collect particles discharged from the opening.

8. The battery assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the case constitutes the module case of the battery module.

9. The battery assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the case constitutes the pack case of the battery pack.

10. An automobile comprising the battery assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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