Battery pack and automobile including same

The battery pack design with a gas vent unit and exhaust system effectively manages gas discharge from malfunctioning modules, enhancing safety and capacity in large-capacity battery packs.

JP7605972B2Active Publication Date: 2024-12-24LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2023517790
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2021-06-02
Filing Date
2022-05-31
Publication Date
2024-12-24
Estimated Expiration
2042-05-31

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Large-capacity battery packs in automobiles are prone to gas explosions during charging and discharging, which can lead to thermal runaway and secondary explosions due to the movement of high-temperature gas and sparks between adjacent battery modules.

Method used

A battery pack design featuring a pack housing with a gas inlet, exhaust passage, and a gas vent unit that includes a plate-shaped gas vent unit that ruptures at high pressure to allow gas to be quickly discharged through a gas exhaust port, along with a guide member to direct the gas away from adjacent modules.

Benefits of technology

The design enhances safety by rapidly exhausting gas from malfunctioning battery modules, reducing the risk of secondary explosions and thermal runaway, while simplifying manufacturing and increasing electric capacity per volume.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Patent Text Reader

Abstract

The present invention discloses a battery pack and a vehicle including the same, which have improved safety against fire and gas explosion. To achieve this object, the battery pack according to the present invention includes a pack housing having an accommodation space for accommodating at least one battery module and the at least one battery module, the pack housing including a gas inlet configured to allow gas generated in the accommodation space to flow therein, a gas exhaust passage communicating with the gas inlet and configured to allow the inflowing gas to move, and a gas exhaust port formed at an end of the gas exhaust passage, and a gas vent unit having a plate shape to seal the gas inlet, the gas vent unit being configured to rupture at least a portion thereof when gas pressure inside the pack housing exceeds a predetermined pressure, allowing gas in the accommodation space to flow into the gas inlet.
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Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack and an automobile including the same, and more particularly to a battery pack and an automobile including the same that have improved safety against fire and gas explosion.

[0002] This application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0071805 filed on June 2, 2021, and the entire contents disclosed in the specification and drawings of that application are incorporated herein by reference. [Background technology]

[0003] Recently, as the demand for portable electronic products such as notebook PCs, video cameras, and mobile phones has increased sharply and the development of electric vehicles, energy storage batteries, robots, satellites, etc. has progressed in earnest, research into high-performance secondary batteries that can be repeatedly charged and discharged is being actively conducted.

[0004] Currently, commercial secondary batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, and lithium secondary batteries. Of these, lithium secondary batteries are in the spotlight due to their advantages over nickel-based secondary batteries, such as almost no memory effect, freedom to charge and discharge, a very low self-discharge rate, and high energy density.

[0005] Such lithium secondary batteries mainly use lithium-based oxides and carbon materials as positive and negative active materials, respectively, and include an electrode assembly in which a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate, to which a positive electrode active material and a negative electrode active material are applied, are arranged with a separator sandwiched therebetween, and an exterior material, i.e., a battery case, that seals and houses the electrode assembly together with an electrolyte.

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

[0007] Meanwhile, the demand for large-capacity battery modules applied to electric vehicles and the like is increasing recently. Such large-capacity battery packs include a plurality of battery modules each having a secondary battery cell. In such a large-capacity battery pack mounted on an automobile, a gas explosion may occur in some of the battery modules during electrical charging and discharging of the plurality of battery modules. In this case, high-temperature gas, flames, and sparks discharged from the battery module to the outside may move to other adjacent battery modules, causing thermal runaway or secondary gas explosions in the other battery modules. This has caused problems such as an initial gas explosion leading to chain explosions, which increases the scale and danger of the accident.

[0008] Therefore, even if a gas explosion occurs in one of the battery modules, there is a need for a method for smoothly and quickly discharging gas in order to minimize the transfer of gas to other adjacent battery modules. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and has an object to provide a battery pack and an automobile with improved safety against fire and gas explosion.

[0010] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device according to the present invention; [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] In order to achieve the above object, the battery pack according to the present invention comprises: At least one battery module; a pack housing having an accommodation space formed therein for accommodating at least one of the battery modules, the pack housing including a gas inlet configured to receive gas generated in the accommodation space, a gas exhaust flow path communicating with the gas inlet and configured to move the inflowing gas, and a gas exhaust port formed at an end of the gas exhaust flow path; and a gas vent unit having a plate shape to seal the gas inlet and configured such that when the gas pressure inside the pack housing reaches or exceeds a predetermined pressure, at least a portion of the gas vent unit bursts to allow gas in the storage space to flow into the gas inlet.

[0012] The pack housing further comprises: A side frame having a shape extending in one direction to cover one side of at least one battery module, The side frame includes: The gas inlet is formed on a surface facing the battery module, The gas exhaust passage is formed to extend long in the one direction along the main body, The gas outlet may be formed at the one end.

[0013] And, the side frame is The gas discharge passage may further include a gas flow passage cap having a plate shape and configured to seal an end of the gas discharge passage opposite to a direction in which the gas discharge port is located.

[0014] The gas vent unit further comprises: The pack housing may include an ejection disk having a plate shape to cover the gas inlet and configured to rupture at least a portion thereof when the gas pressure inside the pack housing reaches or exceeds a predetermined pressure.

[0015] Furthermore, the gas vent unit includes: The ejection disk may further include a coupling plate coupled to the ejection disk and having an opening at one side thereof such that a portion of the ejection disk is exposed to the other side.

[0016] The gas vent unit comprises: The ejection disk includes at least two ejection disks, At least two or more of said ejection discs may be stacked on top of each other.

[0017] Furthermore, the battery module includes: at least one battery cell; a module housing that accommodates the battery cells therein; The module may include a module exhaust unit configured to exhaust gas inside the module housing toward the gas vent unit when the gas pressure inside the module housing reaches or exceeds a predetermined pressure.

[0018] The module discharge unit further comprises: A module housing is provided on one side of the module housing. It may be positioned to face the gas vent unit.

[0019] The battery pack may further include a guide member positioned on an outer periphery of the gas vent unit to guide a direction of movement of gas exhausted from the battery module.

[0020] The guide member is The battery module may have a tubular shape extending toward the battery module, and the tubular shape may have a larger diameter as it approaches the battery module.

[0021] In order to achieve the above object, the automobile according to the present invention includes a battery pack. Effect of the Invention

[0022] According to one aspect of the present invention, the present invention includes a gas vent unit that is plate-shaped to seal the gas inlet and is configured to burst at least a portion thereof when the gas pressure inside the pack housing exceeds a predetermined pressure, allowing gas in the accommodation space to flow into the gas inlet, so that when at least one or more battery modules accommodated inside the battery pack abnormally operates, such as a gas explosion, and the gas pressure inside the pack housing exceeds a predetermined pressure due to gas discharged from the battery modules, the gas vent unit opens the gas inlet and allows the gas to be quickly discharged through a gas discharge path of the pack housing. As a result, the safety of the battery pack of the present invention can be significantly improved.

[0023] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention, serve to further understand the technical ideas of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to only the matters described in the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view illustrating a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a portion of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 2 is a partial rear view showing a schematic configuration of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Diagram 5] 1 is a rear perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a portion of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] 1 is a left perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a portion of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 7] 1 is a right perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a portion of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view illustrating a gas vent unit and a side frame of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view illustrating a gas vent unit of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an exhaust disk and a coupling plate of a gas vent unit of a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 11] 2 is a right side view illustrating a battery module of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of a partial configuration of a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic diagram of an automobile according to an embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Prior to this, the terms and words used in the specification and claims should not be interpreted as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted as having meanings and concepts corresponding to the technical ideas of the present invention, in accordance with the principle that the inventor himself can appropriately define the concepts of terms in order to best describe the invention.

[0026] Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiment of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical idea of ​​the present invention, and that there may be various equivalents and modifications that can be substituted for them at the time of this application.

[0027] Fig. 1 is a perspective view that shows a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view that shows a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a perspective view that shows a partial configuration of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 is a partial rear view that shows a partial configuration of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. And Fig. 5 is a rear perspective view that shows a partial configuration of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] 1 to 5, a battery pack 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes at least one battery module 110, a pack housing 120 having an accommodation space formed therein for accommodating at least one of the battery modules 110, and a gas vent unit 130.

[0029] Specifically, the battery module 110 may include a plurality of battery cells (see reference numeral 111 in FIG. 11 ) and a module housing 112. Here, the battery cells may be, for example, pouch-type battery cells that have high energy density and are easily stacked. The battery cells may be housed inside the module housing 112 in a stacked form. The battery cells may include a positive electrode lead and a negative electrode lead. However, unlike the present embodiment, the battery cells of the present invention are not necessarily limited to the pouch type, and rectangular parallelepiped prismatic battery cells or cylindrical battery cells may be used.

[0030] Although not shown, electrode terminals 111a of each of the battery cells (see reference numeral 111 in FIG. 11 ) may be electrically connected by a bus bar (not shown) having an electrically conductive metal. The bus bar may be in the form of a metal wire or a metal plate. A known connecting member configured to electrically connect a plurality of battery cells may be applied to the bus bar. Therefore, a detailed description thereof will be omitted in the present invention.

[0031] Furthermore, the module housing 112 may be formed as a sealed structure using a material with high mechanical rigidity as a component for housing a plurality of battery cells to protect the plurality of battery cells from external physical and chemical elements.

[0032] The battery pack may include a plurality of battery modules 110. For example, as shown in Fig. 2, eight battery modules 110 may be housed in a pack housing 120. Each of the battery modules 110 may be coupled to the pack housing 120. Here, the coupling method is not limited to a specific coupling method, and a bolt coupling method may be used.

[0033] The pack housing 120 is a component for forming a space for accommodating the battery module 110, and may include side frames 121 and 122, a base plate 126 coupled to the lower portions of the side frames 121 and 122, an upper plate 125 coupled to the upper portions of the side frames 121 and 122, a front cover 124 forming a front wall of the pack housing 120, and a rear cover 123 forming a rear wall. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the pack housing 120 may include a first side frame 121 located on the left side of the base plate 126 and a second side frame 122 located on the right side. That is, the first side frame 121 may be coupled to a left end of the base plate 126. The second side frame 122 may be coupled to a right end of the base plate 126.

[0034] Further, the pack housing 120 may have a gas inlet K, a gas exhaust passage P, and a gas exhaust port T formed therein.

[0035] The gas inlet K may be configured to allow gas generated in the accommodating space to flow in. The gas inlet K may be formed by opening a portion of the side frame 121. For example, four gas inlet openings K may be formed in each of the side frames 121 and 122. The gas inlet K may be formed at a position facing the battery module 110 accommodated in the accommodating space.

[0036] Also, the gas exhaust flow passage P may be configured to communicate with the gas inlet K. The gas exhaust flow passage P may be configured so that the gas flowing into the gas inlet K moves. The gas exhaust flow passage P may be formed extending along the longitudinal direction of the side frame. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the side frame may be formed with four gas exhaust flow passages P extending in the front-rear direction. Also, the gas exhaust port T may be formed at an end of the gas exhaust flow passage P. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, a gas exhaust port T may be formed at the rear end of each of the first side frame 121 and the second side frame 122. The gas exhaust port T may be formed at the rear end of the gas exhaust flow passage P.

[0037] 6 and 7 are left and right perspective views each showing a schematic configuration of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 8 is a partial perspective view showing a gas vent unit and a side frame of the battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] 6 to 8 together with FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, the gas vent unit 130 of the battery pack 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be provided inside the accommodating space of the pack housing 120. The gas vent unit 130 may be generally plate-shaped. That is, the gas vent unit 130 may be configured to seal the gas inlet K using a plate shape. The gas vent unit 130 may be plate-shaped with a size larger than the gas inlet K. The gas vent unit 130 may be configured to at least partially rupture when the gas pressure inside the pack housing 120 becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined pressure. The gas vent unit 130 may be configured such that, when a portion of the gas vent unit 130 ruptures, gas in the accommodating space flows into the gas inlet K. That is, when a portion of the gas vent unit 130 ruptures, the gas inlet K may be opened. At this time, since the gas pressure inside the pack housing 120 is greater than the atmospheric pressure outside the pack housing, gas in the storage space of the pack housing 120 flows into the gas inlet K of the gas vent unit 130, and the gas flowing into the gas inlet K further moves along the gas exhaust flow path P, and the gas G can be discharged to the outside of the battery pack 100 from the gas exhaust outlet T at the end of the gas exhaust flow path P.

[0039] In addition, the gas vent unit 130 may include an ejection disc 131 that is plate-shaped and at least a portion of which is ruptured when the gas pressure inside the pack housing 120 reaches or exceeds a predetermined pressure. The configuration of the ejection disc 131 will be described in detail below.

[0040] According to the configuration of the present invention, the present invention includes a gas vent unit 130 that is plate-shaped to seal the gas inlet K and is configured to burst at least a portion thereof when the gas pressure inside the pack housing 120 exceeds a predetermined pressure, so that the gas in the accommodation space flows into the gas inlet K. In the event that at least one or more battery modules 110 accommodated inside the battery pack 100 abnormally operates, such as a gas explosion, when the gas pressure inside the pack housing 120 exceeds a predetermined pressure due to the gas discharged from the battery module 110, the gas vent unit 130 opens the gas inlet K and the gas G can be quickly discharged to the outside through the gas discharge passage P and the gas discharge port T of the pack housing 120. As a result, the safety of the battery pack 100 of the present invention can be significantly improved.

[0041] Also, the side frame 121 may be configured to cover one side of at least one battery module 110. The side frame 121 may have a shape that is elongated in one direction. For example, as shown in FIG 2, each of the first side frame 121 and the second side frame 122 may have a shape that is elongated in a front-rear direction.

[0042] Further, the side frame 121 may have the gas inlet K formed on one surface facing the battery module 110. For example, as shown in Fig. 5, four gas vent units 130 may be provided on an inner surface (right side) of the first side frame 121. The four gas vent units 130 may be provided at positions facing the four battery modules 110, respectively. As shown in Fig. 6, four gas vent units 130 may be provided on an inner surface (left side) of the second side frame 122. The four gas vent units 130 may be provided at positions facing the four battery modules 110, respectively.

[0043] The gas exhaust passage P may be formed to extend long in one direction along the main body of the side frame 121. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the gas exhaust passage P may have a shape extending long from the front end to the rear end of each of the first side frame 121 and the second side frame 122.

[0044] Furthermore, the gas exhaust port T may be formed at an end of the gas exhaust passage P in one direction, which is an extension direction of the side frame 121. For example, as shown in FIG 5, the gas exhaust port T may be formed at a rear end of each of the first side frame 121 and the second side frame 122.

[0045] Therefore, according to this configuration of the present invention, the battery pack 100 of the present invention has the gas inlet K, the gas exhaust passage P, and the gas exhaust T formed in the side frame 121, so that not only can one side or the other side of the battery module 110 housed inside the pack housing 120 be protected from external impact by the side frame 121, but also can exhaust gas exhausted during abnormal operation of the battery module 110 to the outside of the battery pack 100 through the side frame 121. As a result, the battery pack 100 of the present invention can exhaust internal gas to the outside through the side frame 121 constituting the pack housing 120 without having a separate gas exhaust member, so that the components of the battery pack 100 can be simplified to reduce the manufacturing cost of the battery pack 100, and the storage space of the battery pack 100 can be further secured, so that the electrical capacity per volume can be further increased.

[0046] 1 to 7, the battery pack 100 of the present invention may further include a gas flow path cap 140. The gas flow path cap 140 may be configured to seal an end of the gas exhaust flow path P. The gas flow path cap 140 may be in the form of a plate rising from a bottom. That is, the gas flow path cap 140 may be provided at an end of the gas exhaust flow path P opposite to the direction in which the gas exhaust port T is located. That is, when the gas flow path cap 140 seals one end of the gas exhaust flow path P, the other end of the gas exhaust flow path P may function as the gas exhaust port T. The gas flow path cap 140 may prevent the gas moving through the gas exhaust flow path P from being discharged to the outside from the end of the gas exhaust flow path P opposite to the direction in which the gas exhaust port T is located, rather than from the gas exhaust port T. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the gas flow path cap 140 may be provided at the front end of each of the first side frame 121 and the second side frame 122. Two gas flow path caps 140 may be configured to seal the front ends of the gas exhaust flow paths P of the first side frame 121 and the second side frame 122, respectively.

[0047] Therefore, according to this configuration of the present invention, the present invention further includes a gas flow path cap 140 configured to seal an end of the gas exhaust flow path P in a direction opposite to the direction in which the gas exhaust port T is located, thereby preventing internal gas from being discharged from an unintended location other than the gas exhaust port T of the battery pack 100. As a result, the battery pack 100 of the present invention can discharge gas generated inside from an intended location (gas exhaust port), and therefore, damage to other objects or people adjacent to the battery pack 100 due to gas discharged from an unintended location of the battery pack 100 can be prevented.

[0048] Fig. 8 is a partial perspective view illustrating a gas vent unit and a side frame of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 9 is a rear perspective view illustrating a gas vent unit of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] Meanwhile, referring to FIGS. 8 and 9 together with FIGS. 2 and 3, the gas vent unit 130 of the battery pack 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include an ejection disk 131. The ejection disk 131 may be plate-shaped to cover the gas inlet K. The ejection disk 131 may be configured to burst at least a portion when the gas pressure inside the pack housing 120 becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined pressure. The ejection disk 131 may be fixed to the side frame 121 by bolts. The ejection disk 131 may be a thin plate-shaped. One surface of the ejection disk 131 may be parallel to an inner surface of the side frame 121. The ejection disk 131 may have a size larger than the gas inlet K. An outer periphery of the ejection disk 131 may be fixed to a periphery of the gas inlet K formed in the side frame 121. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the ejection disk 131 may be fixed to an inner surface of the side frame 121 using six bolts B.

[0050] In addition, the gas vent unit 130 may be made of a thin aluminum or plastic material. However, the material of the gas vent unit 130 is not limited to these materials, and any material may be used as long as it is capable of bursting under a predetermined gas pressure inside the pack housing 120.

[0051] Further, the gas vent unit 130 may further include a coupling plate 132. The coupling plate 132 may be coupled to the discharge disk 131. The coupling plate 132 may have a shape in which a part of the discharge disk 131 is opened to expose a part of the discharge disk 131 to the other side. That is, the opening O of the coupling plate 132 may be configured to expose at least a part of the discharge disk 131 configured to burst to the outside when the gas pressure inside the pack housing 120 becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure. That is, a part of the discharge disk 131 may be configured to be exposed by the opening O of the coupling plate 132. Also, the opening O of the coupling plate 132 may be configured to communicate with the gas inlet K. The coupling plate 132 may be configured to support the discharge disk 131 toward the inside where the battery module 110 is located. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the coupling plate 132 may be configured to support an outer surface of the discharge disk 131 toward the inside (the direction in which the battery module is located). At this time, the coupling plate 132 may support the outer periphery of the ejection disk 131 inwardly.

[0052] Therefore, according to this configuration of the present invention, the gas vent unit 130 of the present invention further includes a binding plate 132 coupled to the discharge disc 131 and having a portion opened so that a portion of the discharge disc 131 is exposed to the other side, so that when the gas pressure inside the pack housing 120 reaches or exceeds a predetermined pressure, the portion of the discharge disc 131 exposed through the opening O of the binding plate 132 can be induced to burst reliably. Conversely, since the non-open portion of the binding plate 132 can support the discharge disc 131 inward, the portion of the discharge disc 131 supported by the binding plate 132 is stably fixed, while the portion of the discharge disc 131 exposed to the outside through the opening O of the binding plate 132 is easily deformed due to a change in gas pressure caused by gas generation inside the pack housing 120. As a result, in the battery pack 100 of the present invention, when the gas pressure inside the pack housing 120 reaches or exceeds a predetermined pressure, a portion of the gas vent unit 130 exposed by the opening O can be highly reliably ruptured, allowing gas in the storage space to flow into the gas inlet K.

[0053] FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view that illustrates an exhaust disk and a coupling plate of a gas vent unit of a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 10 together with FIGS. 8 and 9, the gas vent unit 130 may include at least two of the exhaust disks 131. At least two of the exhaust disks 131 may be stacked on one another. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, two exhaust disks 131 may be stacked on one another. The two exhaust disks 131 may be positioned to face the inner surface of the coupling plate 132. The gas vent unit 130 may change the number of the exhaust disks 131 according to a set level of gas pressure inside the pack housing 120 where gas is exhausted. That is, the gas vent unit 130 may include a larger number of exhaust disks 131 when designed to burst the exhaust disks 131 of the gas vent unit 130 when the gas pressure inside the pack housing 120 is relatively high. Conversely, the gas vent unit 130 may include a fewer number of exhaust discs 131 when designed to rupture when the gas pressure inside the pack housing 120 is of a relatively small magnitude.

[0054] Therefore, according to this configuration of the present invention, the gas vent unit 130 of the battery pack 100 can set the number of exhaust disks 131 according to a set magnitude of gas pressure inside the pack housing 120 that exhausts gas to the outside. As a result, when the gas pressure value for gas explosion is changed according to a change in the capacity of the battery pack 100, the present invention can exhibit a highly reliable gas exhaust function by changing the number of the exhaust disks 131 without manufacturing a new gas vent unit 130. Ultimately, the present invention has an advantage that a highly safe battery pack 100 can be manufactured at low manufacturing costs.

[0055] FIG. 11 is a right side view illustrating a battery module of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 11 together with FIG. 2, the battery module 110 of the battery pack 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a module exhaust unit 113. The module exhaust unit 113 may be configured to exhaust gas inside the module housing 112 toward the gas vent unit 130 when the gas pressure inside the module housing 112 is equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure. The module exhaust unit 113 may be located, for example, on one side of the battery module 110. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the module exhaust unit 113 may be located on the right side of the module housing 112 of the battery module 110. The module exhaust unit 113 may be located to face the gas vent unit 130.

[0057] 2 includes eight battery modules 110. In this case, the four battery modules 110 disposed on the left side based on the center of the left-right direction of the battery pack 100 may each include a module ejection unit 113 located on the left side of the module housing 112. The remaining four battery modules 110 disposed on the right side may each include a module ejection unit 113 located on the right side of the module housing 112.

[0058] In addition, the module exhaust unit 113 may be configured to, for example, form an opening or open a portion thereof when the gas pressure inside the module housing 112 reaches or exceeds a predetermined pressure. For example, the module exhaust unit 113 may include a venting cap 113a that seals an opening formed in the module housing 112 and opens when the gas pressure reaches or exceeds a predetermined pressure. Here, the venting cap 113a may be a known venting device that typically exhausts gas to the outside according to internal pressure. Therefore, a detailed description of the venting cap 113a will be omitted.

[0059] FIG. 12 is a partial perspective view of a partial configuration of a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] 12 together with FIG 2, a battery pack 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention may further include a guide member 150 compared to the battery pack 100 of FIG 2. Other configurations may be the same as those of the battery pack 100 of FIG 2.

[0061] Specifically, the guide member 150 may be configured to guide the movement direction of the gas discharged from the battery module 110. The guide member 150 may be located at an outer periphery of the gas vent unit 130. The guide member 150 may guide the gas discharged from the battery module 110 to change the movement direction toward the gas vent unit 130. To this end, the guide member 150 may have a structure extending from the outer periphery of the gas vent unit 130. The extended structure of the guide member 150 may have a shape inclined outward from the outer periphery of the gas vent unit 130.

[0062] Therefore, according to the above configuration of the present invention, the present invention further includes a guide member 150 located on the outer periphery of the gas vent unit 130 to guide the moving direction of the gas discharged from the battery module 110, so that the gas discharged from the battery module 110 can be guided to move toward the gas vent unit 130. That is, the amount of gas discharged from the battery module 110 moving to the gas vent unit 130 can be further increased without spreading to other places. As a result, the battery module 110 of the present invention can open the gas vent unit 130 with higher reliability and quickly discharge the generated high-temperature gas to the outside. As a result, the influence of the battery pack 100 on other battery modules 110 can be reduced, thereby preventing the occurrence of secondary explosions and secondary thermal runaway.

[0063] 2 and 11, and further referring to FIG. 12, the guide member 150 may have a tubular shape 151 extending toward the battery module 110. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the guide member 150 may have a tubular shape 151 extending from an outer periphery of the gas vent unit 130 toward the module exhaust unit 113 of the battery module 110. The tubular shape 151 of the guide member 150 may have a shape in which the diameter of the tubular shape 151 gradually increases in the direction in which the battery module 110 is located. That is, the guide member 150 may have a tubular shape 151 having a tapered structure that gradually widens in the extending direction.

[0064] Therefore, according to the above configuration of the present invention, the guide member 150 has a tubular shape 151 extending toward the battery module 110, and the tubular shape 151 is configured to have a larger diameter as it approaches the module exhaust unit 113, so that the gas discharged from the battery module 110 can be guided to move toward the gas vent unit 130. That is, the amount of gas discharged from the battery module 110 that moves to the gas vent unit 130 without spreading to other places can be increased. As a result, the battery module 110 of the present invention can open the gas vent unit 130 with higher reliability and quickly discharge the generated high-temperature gas to the outside. As a result, the battery pack 100 of the present invention can prevent secondary explosion or secondary thermal runaway caused by gas discharged from one battery module 110 flowing into another battery module 110.

[0065] FIG. 13 is a perspective view that shows a schematic view of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0066] 13 together with FIG 1, an automobile 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include at least one or more of the battery packs 100. The automobile may include, for example, a vehicle body having an accommodation space for accommodating the battery pack 100 equipped with at least one or more of the battery modules. For example, the automobile may be an electric vehicle, an electric scooter, an electric wheelchair, an electric motorcycle, or the like.

[0067] In addition, although terms indicating directions such as up, down, left, right, front, and back are used in this specification, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that these terms indicate relative positions and are used only for convenience of explanation, and may change depending on the position of the target object, the position of the observer, etc.

[0068] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to limited embodiments and drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and variations can be made by those having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains within the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention and the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 10. Automobiles 100 Battery Packs 110 Battery Module 111 Battery Cell 111a Electrode terminal 112 Module Housing 113 Module Emission Unit 113a Venting Cap 120 Pack Housing 121 Side frame (first side frame) 122 Side frame (second side frame) 123 Rear cover 124 Front cover 125 Top Plate 126 Base Plate 130 Gas Vent Unit 131 Ejection disk 132 Binding Plate 140 Gas flow passage cap 150 Guide member 151 Tube shape B Bolt G Gas K Gas inlet O opening P Gas exhaust flow path T Gas outlet

Claims

1. At least one battery module; a pack housing having an accommodation space formed therein for accommodating at least one of the battery modules, the pack housing including a gas inlet configured to receive gas generated in the accommodation space, a gas exhaust flow path communicating with the gas inlet and configured to move the inflowing gas, and a gas exhaust port formed at an end of the gas exhaust flow path; a gas vent unit having a plate shape so as to seal the gas inlet, and configured so that when a gas pressure inside the pack housing reaches or exceeds a predetermined pressure, at least a part of the gas vent unit is ruptured to allow gas in the storage space to flow into the gas inlet, the gas vent unit is in the form of a plate to cover the gas inlet, and is configured to burst at least a portion of the gas vent unit when gas pressure inside the pack housing reaches or exceeds a predetermined pressure, and includes at least two or more exhaust disks stacked on each other.

2. The pack housing includes: a side frame extending in one direction to cover one side of at least one of the battery modules; The side frame includes: The gas inlet is formed on a surface facing the battery module, The gas exhaust passage is formed to extend long in the one direction along the main body, The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the gas exhaust port is formed at the end portion in one direction.

3. The side frame includes:

3. The battery pack according to claim 2, further comprising a gas flow path cap having a plate shape and configured to seal an end of the gas exhaust flow path opposite to a direction in which the gas exhaust port is located.

4. The gas vent unit comprises: The battery pack according to claim 1 , further comprising a coupling plate coupled to the ejection disk and having an opening at one side thereof such that a portion of the ejection disk is exposed to the other side.

5. At least one battery module; a pack housing having an accommodation space formed therein for accommodating at least one of the battery modules, the pack housing including a gas inlet configured to receive gas generated in the accommodation space, a gas exhaust flow path communicating with the gas inlet and configured to move the inflowing gas, and a gas exhaust port formed at an end of the gas exhaust flow path; a gas vent unit having a plate shape so as to seal the gas inlet, and configured so that when a gas pressure inside the pack housing reaches or exceeds a predetermined pressure, at least a part of the gas vent unit is ruptured to allow gas in the storage space to flow into the gas inlet, The battery module includes: at least one battery cell; a module housing that accommodates the battery cells therein; and a module exhaust unit configured to exhaust the gas inside the module housing toward the gas vent unit when the gas pressure inside the module housing becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined pressure. A battery pack comprising:

6. The module discharge unit comprises: A module housing is provided on one side of the module housing. The battery pack according to claim 5 , wherein the battery pack is located to face the gas vent unit.

7. At least one battery module; a pack housing having an accommodation space formed therein for accommodating at least one of the battery modules, the pack housing including a gas inlet configured to receive gas generated in the accommodation space, a gas exhaust flow path communicating with the gas inlet and configured to move the inflowing gas, and a gas exhaust port formed at an end of the gas exhaust flow path; a gas vent unit having a plate shape so as to seal the gas inlet, and configured so that when the gas pressure inside the pack housing reaches or exceeds a predetermined pressure, at least a part of the gas vent unit is ruptured to allow the gas in the storage space to flow into the gas inlet; a guide member positioned on an outer periphery of the gas vent unit to guide a moving direction of gas discharged from the battery module.

8. The guide member is The battery pack according to claim 7, wherein the battery pack has a tubular shape extending toward the battery module, and the tubular shape has a larger diameter as it approaches the battery module.

9. A motor vehicle comprising a battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

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    CN210110904U

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